FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2007
Contact: OMB Communications, 202-395-7254

Portman Supports DeMint Amendment to Prevent Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON- Today, Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) offered an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would prevent future government shutdowns by automatically providing funding at last year’s levels if spending bills are not passed on time.

“Our goal is for Congress to complete the annual spending bills individually and on time.  It is in the interest of good government, transparency and most importantly, the taxpayers,” said OMB Director Rob Portman.

“Since he was first elected, the President has consistently proposed a mechanism that would prevent a government shutdown.  Senator DeMint’s amendment achieves the President’s goal of ensuring that government operations continue, as we all want, while Congress completes work on its annual spending bills,” Portman said.

The President has included a “Government Shutdown Prevention” proposal in each of his Budgets.

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