The 41-day government shutdown of October 2025 left federal workers without pay, shuttered parks, and stalled vital services, costing the U.S. billions. The gridlock exposed how partisan battles over spending harm ordinary Americans more than politicians.
Senator James Lankford (ROK) hopes to change that with his Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025 (S. 2721). Introduced September 4, the bill would automatically extend government funding in two-week increments if Congress misses its budget deadline. Spending would continue at prior-year levels, ensuring stability while lawmakers finish negotiations.
To keep pressure on Congress, not taxpayers, Lankford’s proposal bans official travel, long recesses, and campaignrelated spending during these continuing resolution periods. Lawmakers must remain in session, focusing solely on appropriations until a deal is reached.
The bipartisan measure, backed by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) with a House version led by Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), reframes budgeting as a constitutional duty, not a political weapon.
With the national debt exceeding $37 trillion, Lankford’s plan aims to end the recurring shutdown cycle and protect Americans from the fallout of Washington’s stalemates. If passed, it could finally make government shutdowns a thing of the past.