Republicans look to trigger automatic spending deals to avoid shutdowns

Congressional Republicans are looking to avoid the inconvenience of government shutdowns by eliminating them altogether through legislation that would trigger automatic spending deals if there is a “lapse” in the appropriations process.

Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) introduced the Eliminate Shutdowns Act on Tuesday, which would trigger an automatic, 14-day continuing resolution when the deadline for government funding arrives. If Congress cannot pass an appropriations bill or a longer CR at the end of the 14-day “auto CR,” then the deadline is punted for another 14 days, and so on until the normal funding process is completed.