Rep. Torres Small Co-Sponsors Bill to End Future Shutdowns

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02), together with over 20 freshmen, introduced H.R. 834, the Shutdown to End All Shutdowns (SEAS) Act. This bill would keep the government running if Congress or the President fail to enact must-pass spending bills while simultaneously creating disincentives for Members of Congress and the Executive Branch until a solution is reached.

“As I was sworn into Congress, I felt like our freshmen class was the cavalry coming in to end what would become the longest and most destructive shutdown in our nation’s history. The Senate however, did not vote on legislation that would have ended the shutdown and New Mexico became one of the states in the nation hardest hit. I saw firsthand the damage and disruption the shutdown did to our local communities,” said Representative Xochitl Torres Small. "We were elected to restore trust in Congress and this legislation will hold the government accountable for its actions.”

The SEAS Act would protect federal employees from being furloughed or forced to work without pay by triggering a 30-day continuing resolution (CR) if a full-year appropriations bill isn’t signed into law by the end of the fiscal year. It would also force Members of Congress and the Executive Branch to remain in Washington and suspend their pay until a solution is reached.

To read more on the SEAS Act, click here.

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