Senator Ron Johnson Advocates for the Eliminate Shutdowns Act to End Government Gridlock

The Problem with Government Shutdowns

• 🎭 Senator Ron Johnson expresses frustration with recurring government shutdown showdowns, calling them "madness" characterized by drama, turmoil, and partisan bickering.
• 🎯 He highlights how these shutdowns hold the American people and economy hostage for demands of billions in unaffordable spending.

The Eliminate Shutdowns Act Solution

• 💡 The proposed Eliminate Shutdowns Act aims to prevent government shutdowns by automatically continuing funding at previous year's levels if an appropriation bill is not passed.
• 📜 This mechanism mirrors practices in Wisconsin since the 1950s, ensuring government operations continue without disruption.
• ⏳ The act proposes two-week rolling continuing appropriations to fund all government departments that lack a passed appropriation bill.

Addressing Criticisms of the Act

• ⚠️ Johnson acknowledges potential opposition from Democrats and appropriators, with concerns that continuing resolutions (CRs) might fund unnecessary programs or prevent new ones.
• 🎯 He counters that automatic CRs would still create an incentive to pass appropriation bills and do not diminish the authority of appropriators.
• 📉 The pressure of shutdowns has not led to fiscal responsibility, evidenced by the broken appropriation process since 2011, with a 96.7% failure rate in passing bills.

Fiscal Irresponsibility and Debt

• 📊 Charts presented illustrate a history of escalating deficits, from an average of $250 billion under President Bush to $1.27 trillion under President Obama's first term, and a bipartisan spending spree during COVID-19 leading to $3.1 trillion annual deficits.
• 📈 The national debt has surged from $14 trillion to over $37 trillion since 2011, with projected deficits of $26.4 trillion over the next decade.
• 💰 Johnson emphasizes that the core issue is a spending problem, not a revenue problem, as federal revenue as a percentage of GDP has remained relatively consistent despite changes in top marginal tax rates.

Rethinking Appropriations and Fiscal Reform

• 🎯 The Eliminate Shutdowns Act would free up time and energy currently wasted on "charades" of shutdown brinkmanship, allowing appropriators to focus on finding compromises and passing bills.
• 🔄 Potential reforms include two-year appropriation cycles or even three-year bills to make the process more manageable and encourage oversight.
• ✅ Passing the Eliminate Shutdowns Act is presented as a signature achievement for the Congress, urging bipartisan support to end chaos and partisan games.