Time to shut down government shutdowns

So, the government shutdown has come to an end. At least for now. But how long before our petulant politicians use the threat of another government shutdown to try to get their way. That won’t happen if two midwestern Congressmen have their way.  Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin and Democrat Congressman David Loebsack of Iowa have introduced what they call the End Government Shutdowns Act. The legislation says that if Congress fails to reach agreement on a new budget, federal agencies would continue to be funded at the prior year’s levels. It is hardly a novel idea. As Grothman points out, Wisconsin has had such a law in place since the 1950’s.  As a result, the Wisconsin state budget has always been completed, and the state has never resorted to a government shutdown. Avoiding shutdowns would provide more stability to our economy, and prevent more government dysfunction. Instead, because of the recent shutdown, craft breweries like La Crosse’s Pearl Street are struggling to get their new beers to market. And millions of Americans may see a delay in getting their tax returns. The IRS already has a backlog of 5 million returns due to the shutdown. It is time to end the political games in Washington, and ensure that the only job of Congress, to pass a budget, gets done on time, as it should be.