Republican duo plan to force lawmakers to stay in DC to fund government
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FIRST ON FOX: Two Republican lawmakers are taking a stand to ensure that the government remains open, even if it means keeping their colleagues in Washington, D.C., until a funding solution is reached.
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, are set to introduce a bill that would require lawmakers to stay in the capital until a short-term government funding extension, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), is passed to avoid a potential shutdown.
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Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., pictured in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker)
With the Sept. 30 deadline looming and no concrete plan in place to prevent a shutdown, tensions are rising as both Democrats and Republicans point fingers at each other in anticipation of a potential closure.
While the Senate has made progress on several spending bills, the House has only passed two, though there were plans to push forward with the Energy and Water appropriations bill.
Lankford emphasized the urgent need to address the nation’s growing debt, stating that “Congress cannot continue to ignore the tough decisions needed to address it.”
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Rep. Jodey Arrington chairs a House Budget Committee meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on May 18, 2025. (Alex Wroblewski/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He added, “Shutting down the government will not solve the debt problem; it will only worsen it. The best approach to resolving these issues is to keep Congress in session until a budget is finalized, putting the pressure on lawmakers instead of impacting families and essential services.”
If an agreement is not reached, the proposed legislation by Lankford and Arrington would trigger an automatic CR on a rolling 14-day basis until all 12 appropriations bills are passed or a temporary solution is agreed upon.
The bill would mandate that Congress, staff, and members of the Office of Management and Budget remain in Washington until the task is completed, prohibiting any motions to adjourn or recess for more than 23 hours and requiring daily quorum calls to ensure attendance.
“In the real world, accountability is crucial. Yet, when Congress fails to meet its appropriations deadlines, it is hardworking Americans who bear the brunt — taxpayers, seniors, and our military personnel,” Arrington stated.
While negotiations continue in both chambers, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed optimism that a clean CR originating in the House could provide the necessary time to finalize regular appropriations.
However, concerns have been raised following the White House’s recent move to cancel $4.9 billion in foreign aid funds, potentially complicating bipartisan efforts in the Senate where Democratic support is crucial.
“If House Republicans push through a partisan CR without Democratic input, resulting in a failure to secure the necessary votes, that would be a Republican-initiated shutdown,” warned Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
