Tester to Congress: Stop playing games with the budget

Senator’s bipartisan bill prevents government shutdowns, economic uncertainty

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester wants to force Congress to quit playing political games when it comes to threatening to shut down the U.S. Government.

Tester is introducing the End Government Shutdowns Act with Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) to prevent the uncertainty that comes with funding the government on a month-to-month basis.

Tester’s bill automatically continues current funding for 120 days if Congress cannot agree to a new budget by its annual deadline of October 1. At the end of the 120-day period, funding of every federal program will be reduced by one percent every 90 days until Congress agrees on a budget.

“Montanans expect Congress to do its job: pass a long-term plan to address our debt while providing certainty and growth,” Tester said. “Instead, we’ve seen far too much posturing and irresponsible threats about shutting down the government in recent years. This bipartisan bill makes sure that Congress gets serious instead of putting our service members, seniors and small businesses in jeopardy.”

The federal government was nearly shutdown in 2011 when members of the House of Representatives threatened to oppose the continued funding of the government over spending levels.

Tester’s bipartisan End Government Shutdowns Act.pdf by les_braswell5524