S. 1877 · 116th Congress

Government Shutdown Accountability Act

Stage
Reported from committee
Introduced
2019-06-18
Latest action
2019-11-12 · Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-158.

Summary

Government Shutdown Accountability Act

This bill establishes various procedures and requirements for government shutdowns that occur due to a lapse in appropriations.

Among other provisions, the bill

directs the Office of Personnel Management to designate services related to Federal Employee Health Benefits Program enrollments as excepted services under the Antideficiency Act to require the services to continue during a government shutdown, allows federal employees who are furloughed or working without pay during a government shutdown to seek and obtain employment outside the federal government, limits expenditures for official travel, restricts congressional recesses and adjournments, and prohibits Congress from considering legislation that is unrelated to appropriations or an emergency if a government shutdown is in effect. The provisions that restrict recesses, adjournments, and the consideration of legislation may be waived or suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members of the applicable chamber of Congress.