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To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for automatic continuous appropriations, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill creates an automatic continuing appropriations mechanism to prevent government shutdowns if Congress fails to enact appropriation measures by the start of a fiscal year. If a shutdown would occur, automatic appropriations would continue at 99 percent of the prior year's funding level. The funding rate would be reduced by one percentage point every 30 days until an appropriation bill is enacted, but would continue indefinitely rather than allowing a shutdown. This mechanism applies to all programs and projects unless specific law exempts them or prohibits their funding.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6] (R-KY)
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Andy Barr’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- NULL $274,323
- BANC OF CALIFORNIA $60,083
- APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT $32,200
- BLACKSTONE $28,900
- WELLS FARGO $23,366
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Andy Barr → · Outside spending →
Actions (2)
- Sep 23, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations. · house
- Sep 23, 2025 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Text versions (1)
Bills are re-published as they move (Introduced → Reported → Engrossed → Enrolled …). Each stage below is a separate text; pick two to see what changed. Data from Congress.gov.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 23, 2025
Mr. Barr introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations
A BILL
To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for automatic continuous appropriations, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Sec. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the “End Government Shutdowns Act”. Sec. 2. Automatic Continuing Appropriations
(a) In General.—Chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1310 the following new section: “Sec. 1311. Continuing appropriations
“(a)(1) If any appropriation measure for a fiscal year is not enacted before the beginning of such fiscal year or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect, there are appropriated such sums as may be necessary to continue any program, project, or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year—
“(A) in the corresponding appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year; or
“(B) if the corresponding appropriation bill for such preceding fiscal year did not become law, then in a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year.
“(2)(A) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for a program, project, or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be at a rate of operations not in excess of the lower of—
“(i) 99 percent of the rate of operations provided for in the regular appropriation Act providing for such program, project, or activity for the preceding fiscal year;
“(ii) in the absence of such an Act, 99 percent of the rate of operations provided for such program, project, or activity pursuant to a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year; or
“(iii) 99 percent of the annualized rate of operations provided for in the most recently enacted joint resolution making continuing appropriations for part of that fiscal year or any funding levels established under the provisions of this Act, for the period of 30 days. After the first 30-day period during which this subsection is in effect for that fiscal year, the applicable rate of operations shall be reduced by 1 percentage point. For each subsequent 30-day period during which this subsection is in effect for that fiscal year, the applicable rate of operations shall be reduced by 1 percentage point. The 30-day period reductions shall extend beyond the last day of that fiscal year.
“(B) If this section is in effect at the end of a fiscal year, funding levels shall continue as provided in this section for the next fiscal year.
“(3) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year pursuant to this section for a program, project, or activity shall be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such program, project, or activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be.
“(b) An appropriation or funds made available, or authority granted, for a program, project, or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be subject to the terms and conditions imposed with respect to the appropriation made or funds made available for the preceding fiscal year, or authority granted for such program, project, or activity under current law.
“(c) Expenditures made for a program, project, or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a regular appropriation bill or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations until the end of a fiscal year providing for such program, project, or activity for such period becomes law.
“(d) This section shall not apply to a program, project, or activity during a fiscal year if any other provision of law (other than an authorization of appropriations)—
“(1) makes an appropriation, makes funds available, or grants authority for such program, project, or activity to continue for such period; or
“(2) specifically provides that no appropriation shall be made, no funds shall be made available, or no authority shall be granted for such program, project, or activity to continue for such period.”.
(b) Clerical Amendment.—The table of sections of chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1310 the following new item:
1311. Continuing appropriations. <all>
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