Sen. Paul Proposes Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2011

Statement

Today Sen. Rand Paul proposed the Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2011 to address the issues that may occur during a federal government shutdown. The proposal ensures that essential government services continue to function in absence of the passage of a spending bill, and incentivizes Congress to act. The bill is intended as a permanent rule to follow for the current and all future cases where Congress does not enact a budget or continuing resolution.

"Absence of a continuing resolution does not shutdown government. And this legislation will show that there doesn't need to be a shutdown in order for us to address the spending problem here in Washington," Sen. Paul said. "We can fund government at lower levels while deciding the final product."

"My proposal seeks to alleviate the worries of people who rely on important services, and fill the gap created by non-passage of spending bills, while forcing Congress to deal with the unsustainable spending," he continued. "In my bill, we keep obligations made to our military personnel, seniors, children, and federal workers maintain an adequate level of pay, but Members of Congress and the President do not get paid unless they actually work out a resolution."

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