Washington is currently facing the possibility of another government shutdown with growing frustration among lawmakers
There have been three government shutdowns in the last decade alone, leading to economic damage without significant policy changes
Bipartisan efforts are emerging to prevent government shutdowns, including the "Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023
This proposed bill aims to keep the government open in 14-day increments if annual spending bills are not passed on time
Lawmakers and executive branch officials would be required to work continuously in Washington until bills are resolved, eliminating taxpayer-funded travel during such times
The bill's proponents argue that time pressure is a powerful motivator in Congress, ensuring timely decisions
Senator Ron Johnson is pushing for a vote on the issue, using procedural maneuvers to block spending legislation until the shutdown-ending measure is considered
However, not all lawmakers support this plan; Senator Jeff Merkley suggests changing Senate rules to guarantee timely votes on approved spending bills
Another plan, the "End Shutdowns Act," proposes automatic temporary funding at the start of a fiscal year to prevent shutdowns and limit unrelated Senate business
An alternative approach, the "No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act," suggests withholding lawmaker paychecks during defaults or shutdowns, releasing them at the end of the congressional session
Despite these efforts, the future of these plans remains uncertain due to legislative challenges in Washington