H.R. 5130 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Sep 4, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryAutomatic budget funding to prevent shutdowns
Ever wondered what happens when Congress can't agree on spending bills before a new fiscal year starts. This bill sets up an automatic backup plan: if normal appropriations bills aren't passed, government funding continues automatically at the previous year's level. It also puts restrictions on things like official travel and Congress taking breaks until appropriations are actually finalized.
How it affects you
This mostly affects federal employees and people who depend on federal services, since it ensures those agencies keep running rather than shutting down. Congress members would face limits on recesses and unrelated legislative work during any funding gap. For most other Americans, the main effect is that federal operations wouldn't grind to a halt during budget disputes.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 4, 2025)
Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025
This bill provides continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if the appropriations bills for a fiscal year have not been enacted before the fiscal year begins and continuing appropriations are not in effect.
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations at the rate of operations that was provided for the prior fiscal year to continue programs, projects, and activities that were funded in the preceding fiscal year.
The bill also limits official travel, congressional recesses or adjournments, and the consideration of legislation that is unrelated to appropriations after the beginning of a fiscal year if the appropriations process has not been completed.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5130
A BILL
Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX-19) · Introduced Sep 4, 2025 · Economics and Public Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 4, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”