In a bid to prevent the negative impacts of government shutdowns on American families and essential services, Senators James Lankford and Maggie Hassan have introduced the ‘Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026.’ This bipartisan effort aims to ensure that while Congress debates budgetary issues, the American people and federal workers are not caught in the crossfire.

A New Approach to Budget Impasses

The proposed legislation introduces an automatic Continuing Resolution (CR) that would maintain funding at current levels if Congress fails to pass any of the 12 appropriation bills on time. This measure is designed to keep federal workers, including air traffic controllers and healthcare professionals, on the job and paid, preventing disruptions in critical services.

Under the new bill, Members of Congress and their staff would be required to remain in Washington, D.C., working seven days a week until a budget agreement is reached. This approach shifts the pressure of a shutdown from the American public to Congress itself, incentivizing lawmakers to resolve budgetary disputes promptly.

Broad Support and Previous Attempts

The bill has garnered strong bipartisan support and backing from multiple organizations, including the American Federation of Government Employees. Although a similar proposal fell just three votes short in a previous session, the senators are optimistic about its prospects, especially after the longest shutdown in U.S. history highlighted the need for change.

Senators Lankford and Hassan emphasize that while they may disagree on various issues, they are united in their belief that government shutdowns should not be used as political leverage. Their proposal seeks to end the cycle of shutdowns that have cost the nation billions and disrupted countless lives.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.