(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville, announced Tuesday that he is backing legislation aimed at eliminating the possibility of federal government shutdowns.
Steil joined Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, in introducing the House version of the Eliminate Government Shutdowns Act, a measure authored by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin. The bill would create an automatic two-week continuing resolution for federal departments without approved budgets, renewing every two weeks until Congress passes new appropriations. Funding would remain at current levels during the process.
Steil previously introduced similar legislation during the 116th Congress. He said repeated last-minute fights over government funding undermine public confidence and distract from policy priorities.
“Like most Americans, I am tired of arbitrary deadlines and political fights shutting down the federal government,” Steil said. “Decades of dysfunction and continued brinkmanship in D.C. do not help deliver the policy solutions Wisconsin families need. It’s time to reform the status quo and ensure that Congress is working to deliver thoughtful, productive legislation for the American people.”
Johnson added that preventing shutdowns would ensure government services continue uninterrupted. “Shutdowns are stupid, and everyone knows it,” he said. “I was sent to Congress to make sure the government serves South Dakotans – it can’t possibly serve South Dakota if it is closed.”
The announcement comes as lawmakers face a Sept. 30 deadline, when funding for the current fiscal year is set to expire. Last week, the House passed a stopgap measure extending funding through Nov. 21. Congressional leaders are continuing work on individual appropriations bills, including one covering the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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2 Responses
Ugh. Let’s just keep spending money into oblivion with no repercussions. With shutdowns, it at least gets the “normies” attention about the wasteful government and maybe someone will get off their a** to get ahold of congressman.
Burn it down! Start over with the constitution.