H.R. 5542 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Appropriations, Sep 23, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryAutomatic funding to prevent government shutdowns
Ever wondered what happens when Congress doesn't pass a budget before the new fiscal year starts. This bill sets up automatic backup funding so government agencies can keep operating. Instead of shutting down, agencies would get 99% of the funding they had the year before for the first 30 days. After that, the funding would drop by 1% every 30 days until Congress actually passes a real budget.
How it affects you
If this bill became law, federal employees, veterans, social security recipients, and anyone who relies on government services would likely face fewer disruptions during budget disputes. You'd still get the services you depend on rather than having them suddenly stop. However, the longer Congress takes to pass a real budget, the more those services would get trimmed back by those 1% monthly cuts.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 23, 2025)
End Government Shutdowns Act
This bill provides continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if any appropriations measure for a fiscal year has not been enacted before the fiscal year begins or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect.
For an initial 30-day period, the bill provides appropriations at a rate that is 99% of the rate for the preceding year to continue programs, projects, and activities for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year. The bill reduces the continuing appropriations by 1% after the first 30-day period and by an additional 1% for each subsequent 30-day period until the applicable appropriations legislation is enacted.
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. 5542
A BILL
End Government Shutdowns Act
Sponsor: Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY-6) · Introduced Sep 23, 2025 · Economics and Public Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 23, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.”