2 Wisconsin Republicans propose legislation to prevent government shutdowns

WASHINGTON — Non-essential federal operations will shut down on Oct. 1 unless Congress and the president approve a funding bill.

To avoid this threat in the future, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., proposed the “Eliminate Shutdowns Act.” Johnson wants two-week funding bills to automatically kick in if lawmakers can’t agree on a longer term measure.

“Congress clearly is incapable of following the budget procedures that it has on the books,” said Anthony Chergosky, an associate professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

"I think members of Congress have a very important decision to make," he continued. "I think they need to decide if they want to design the budget process so that the majority party can act its will, or if they want to design the budget process so th