[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E482-E483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN PREVENTION ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the NFL owners approved the use of 
an ``instant replay'' system to review controversial calls in football 
games. Well, it looks like the NFL is one step ahead of Congress. The 
Government Shutdown Prevention Act would be an ``instant replay'' for 
the budget, so there is never a threat of a shutdown as the clock ticks 
down on the fiscal year. There have been innumerable ``controversial 
calls'' as budget negotiations have stalled and even completely broken

[[Page E483]]

down. The Government Shutdown Prevention Act allows appropriators to 
finish their work as funding levels automatically continue at the rate 
of the previous year: an ``instant replay'' that allows the Government 
to operate until a budget agreement is reached. An ``instant replay'' 
that allows senior citizens to get their social security checks on 
time, allows veterans to receive their benefits, and keeps federal 
workers on the job during budget negotiations. I'd say Congress ought 
to take a page out of the NFL play book and pass H.R. 142, the 
Government Shutdown Prevention Act.

                          ____________________