H.R. 5870 · 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, Oct 31, 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 can't agree on a budget before a new fiscal year starts. This bill creates an automatic backup plan: if appropriations bills haven't been passed, the government keeps running at the same funding level as the previous year. It also puts limits on travel and congressional breaks once a new fiscal year begins without a budget, and blocks Congress from considering unrelated legislation until appropriations are handled.
How it affects you
This affects federal employees, who would keep getting paid even during budget disputes. It affects you as a taxpayer because government services would continue uninterrupted instead of shutting down. However, the summary doesn't spell out specific effects on individuals beyond keeping the government running.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Oct 31, 2025)
Prevent Government Shutdowns Act
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. 5870
A BILL
Prevent Government Shutdowns Act
Sponsor: Rep. Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX-19) · Introduced Oct 31, 2025 · Economics and Public Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 31, 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.”