**Goodlander is a fierce advocate for the No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act to prevent Members of Congress from being paid if they fail their basic duty of funding the government**

Washington, D.C. — On the heels of the second government shutdown in 3 months, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) is championing two pieces of bipartisan legislation to fix this broken system and prevent future senseless and painful government shutdowns. 

The bipartisan Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would ensure the chaos and pain caused by this government shutdown never happens again by changing the structure of funding the government. The bipartisan Shutdown Fairness Act would guarantee that federal employees, servicemembers, reservists, and contractors continue to receive their paychecks in full and on time during a government shutdown.

Government shutdowns create real hardship for families across New Hampshire and the country, disrupting household budgets, delaying essential services, and undermining morale among the workers who keep the nation running. During the 43-day shutdown in 2025 – the longest in history – thousands of families struggled to pay rent, afford groceries, and cover basic expenses despite continuing to show up for work.

“The pain that a government shutdown inflicts on hardworking Americans is real,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “That’s why I’m leading bipartisan legislation to prevent government shutdowns and make sure we never reach this point again.”

The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act fixes our broken system:

• Prevents shutdowns automatically: Implements a rolling 14-day automatic continuing resolution at current funding levels to keep the government open and critical services running.
• Keeps Congress at work: Requires Members of Congress to remain in Washington, D.C., and limits floor activity to funding-related business until appropriations are completed.
• Protects workers and services: Guarantees continuity of essential federal services and prevents federal employees from being furloughed or forced to work without pay.
• Pushes timely action: Establishes expedited consideration of bipartisan funding bills if appropriations are not enacted within 30 days of the start of the fiscal year, incentivizing Congress to fund the government on time.

The Shutdown Fairness Act delivers for hardworking Americans:

• Guarantees pay during shutdowns: Requires federal agencies to continue paying federal workers, servicemembers, reservists, and contractors during a lapse in appropriations.
• No new spending: Does not authorize any additional spending; it ensures workers receive their regular paychecks on time instead of waiting weeks or months for back pay after a shutdown ends.
• Prevents disruption and delays: Helps avoid the backlogs, service interruptions, and contract delays that routinely pile up during shutdowns and can take months to unwind.
• Bipartisan, worker-first approach: Reflects broad bipartisan agreement that government shutdowns should never again fall hardest on working families, military households, and public servants who have no control over the gridlock that causes them.

Goodlander is also leading commonsense legislation to support New Hampshire workers during government shutdowns:

• H.R. 5680, the Pay Our Public Shipyard Workers Act
  • This bill ensures our public shipyard workers continue to be paid during a government shutdown.
• H.R. 5401, the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026, and the Pay Our Military Act
  • These bills ensure our military members continue to be paid during a government shutdown. 
• H.R. 1973, No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act 
  • This bill would prevent Members of Congress from being paid if they fail their basic duty of funding the government.
• H.R. 5451, Aviation Funding Stability Act
  • This bill would ensure that TSA agents and air traffic controllers continue to be paid during a government shutdown. 
• H.R. 2563, Aviation Education Remaining Operations Act (AERO ACT)
  • This bill ensures that the FAA continues to train air traffic controllers during a government shutdown to ensure our air safety workforce is fully staffed and no lapses occur. 

Congresswoman Goodlander has dedicated her life to ensuring a fair deal for New Hampshire. During her time serving in the United States Department of Justice, she saw firsthand how wasteful and expensive government shutdowns are, and how painful they can be for hardworking families. Now, as the Congresswoman representing New Hampshire, she is working to protect Granite Staters.

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