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S 1877 116th Congress Senate Economics and Public Finance Appropriations Budget process Congressional officers and employees Elections, voting, political campaign regulation Executive agency funding and structure Federal officials Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Legislative rules and procedure Members of Congress Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Transportation costs

Government Shutdown Accountability Act

Introduced: June 18, 2019 Introduced by: Lankford, James Republican · Oklahoma See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 12, 2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 304.
Nov 12, 2019
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.
Jun 19, 2019
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jun 18, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jun 18, 2019
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now November 12, 2019

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 304.

 Related & companion bills 3
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1877: Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1877/
MLA
"S. 1877: Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1877/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1877, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1877/.
Markdown link
[S. 1877: Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1877/)
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