Representative Kelly Votes Again to Prevent a Government Shutdown, Forcing the Senate to Finally Pass a Budget after Five Weeks of Inaction

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) voted today in support of the Government Shutdown Prevention Act (H.R. 1255), legislation that would force the Senate to either pass its own budget for the remainder of fiscal year 2011 or accept the one passed by the House in February, preventing a government shutdown that could take place once the current continuing resolution runs out on April 8.

“It was bad enough that the previous Congress failed to pass a 2011 budget, but now, six months into the fiscal year, the current Senate can't come up with a budget either,” said Rep. Kelly. “This is a serious breech of responsibility that has understandably infuriated the American people. The House has done our part and then some. It's time for the Senate to step up to the plate or remain on the bench. Either way, we've got to move forward.”

Today’s measure was the fourth attempt by the House to prevent a government shutdown. In addition to passing H.R. 1 in February, which would have funded the government through fiscal year 2011 while saving taxpayers $61.5 billion dollars, the House also passed two short-term budgets that have cut $10 billion in spending and have given the Senate five additional weeks to come up with a budget.

Under the Government Shutdown Prevention Act passed today, if the Senate has not passed a measure providing for appropriations to fund the government for the remainder of FY 2011 by April 6, then the provisions of the House budget would be enacted into law and government operations would be automatically funded under H.R. 1 for the remainder of fiscal year 2011. 

The legislation also states that if the government shuts down for more than 24 hours, Members of Congress and the President will not be paid for those days. 

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