S. 499 — Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2025

This section establishes automatic continuing appropriations in new 31 U.S.C. §1311 for any program, project, or activity lacking a regular appropriation Act or continuing resolution on the first day of a fiscal year, at a rate for operations not exceeding the lower of 94% of the prior fiscal year's regular appropriation level, prior-year continuing resolution level, or most recent level under this section—for an initial 90-day period, after which the rate reduces by 1 percentage point for each subsequent 90-day period (with reductions carrying over fiscal years if funding continues under this section). Appropriations under this section are available from the first day of a lapse until a regular appropriation Act or continuing resolution becomes law; are subject to the prior year's terms and conditions; must be apportioned proportionally to the prior year; exclude high initial distributions or grants to states, grantees, or others; and are charged against final appropriations when enacted. (As background, continuing resolutions temporarily fund federal operations during delays in enacting the 12 regular annual appropriations bills; this provision prevents shutdowns by automating funding at progressively reduced levels.) Exceptions include full current-law levels for entitlements, mandatory payments, and Food and Nutrition Act activities; and inapplicability where another law provides or prohibits funding. This section also makes a conforming amendment to the table of sections for 31 U.S.C. ch. 13.