[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 30, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KAINE:
  S. 281. A bill to provide for a period of continuing appropriations 
in the event of a lapse in appropriations under the normal 
appropriations process, and to prohibit consideration of other matters 
in the Senate if appropriations are not enacted; to the Committee on 
Appropriations.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, today I introduced the End Shutdowns Act. 
Enacting this bill would go a long way towards avoiding the pain and 
suffering caused to families from government shutdowns, such as the 
recent 35 day partial shutdown.
  I have been outspoken against President Trump's use of a government 
shutdown as a negotiating tactic, and--in an effort to take away that 
option in the future--this bill would initiate an automatic continuing 
resolution on October 1 if no appropriations bill is passed by that 
date. The legislation would then stop the Senate from moving forward 
with any other legislation, outside of an emergency scenario, until 
Congress reached an agreement on a long-term spending deal.
  I am advocating for my colleagues to consider supporting this bill, 
especially those negotiating on the current spending bills set to 
expire February 15, to include legislation to prevent future shutdowns 
in any bipartisan deal reached by that deadline.

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