This bill would add a new law for "automatic continuing appropriations." If a program, project, or activity had funding in the previous year but Congress has not passed a new appropriation or a continuing resolution, the bill would automatically provide the money needed to keep the program running at the same rate as the prior applicable appropriation. That automatic funding would be provided in 14-day increments and would renew every 14 days while a lapse in appropriations continues. Mandatory payments and some nutrition programs would continue at the rate needed to maintain current program levels. The bill also limits large up-front distributions and says agencies should use only the smallest funding action needed to continue operations. The automatic funding would end when Congress enacts an appropriation or a continuing appropriation for that account.
The bill also sets rules for members of Congress, congressional staff, and certain federal officials during any period when automatic continuing appropriations are in effect. It generally bars official travel during those periods, with limited exceptions (a single return trip to Washington, travel inside the National Capital Region, and travel needed for national security continuity). It also bars use of campaign funds for official travel during those periods except for a return trip to Washington. For the House and Senate floor, the bill restricts what may be considered during a covered period: generally only an appropriation measure, quorum matters, a debt-limit bill, and after 30 days certain high-level nominations or limited extensions of expiring programs. The bill also limits recesses and adjournments, and requires daily quorum checks.
Finally, the bill directs how its budget effects should be treated for budget rules. It says the office that makes budget estimates should treat these automatic appropriations as discretionary appropriations for some budget accounting purposes and describes how they should affect baseline calculations and enforcement of discretionary spending limits.
The bill instructs budget offices to treat its actions as discretionary appropriations for budget scoring, to treat the automatic funding as part-year continuing appropriations for baseline calculations, and to treat the funds as part-year for enforcing discretionary spending limits. The bill text does not include an estimated dollar cost or a score from a budget office. No publicly available information.
The bill's text states its purpose: to provide for automatic continuing appropriations when Congress does not enact appropriations, and to establish procedures and consequences to avoid lapses in funding and limits on congressional activity during those periods.
No publicly available information.