Congress should stay until it’s work is done

Finally, some common sense in Washington. Legislation has been introduced in Congress which would avoid the threat of government shutdowns. There have been a handful of federal government shutdowns in recent years because of Congress’ inability to pass a comprehensive federal budget. Instead, Congress tends to rely on stop-gap spending measures and continuing resolutions to keep the government from going off a cliff. Another shutdown is possible by June if Congress doesn’t agree to raise the debt ceiling. Failing to do so could send the economy into a tailspin. Now, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, is proposing what the call the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. It would take government shutdowns off the table and force Congress to get its work done. Under the plan, members of Congress would have to stay in Washington and continue working until the spending bills are complete. If there was a lapse in government funding, the bill would authorize continued funding at current levels. It shouldn’t take such legislation to force Congress to do its job, but based on all the shutdowns we’ve seen, this bill makes sense.