WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch Sen. Ron Johnson Wants to End Government Shutdowns for Good
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Sep 26, 2025 
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin, known for his insights on fiscal policy, dives into the ins and outs of government shutdowns. He discusses his proposed 'Eliminate Shutdown Act,' aiming for automatic 14-day funding extensions. Johnson highlights the costly impacts of shutdowns on taxpayers and argues that these measures could promote bipartisanship and reform. He also critiques the idea of banning Congressional stock trading, suggesting that transparency laws are a better approach. A riveting conversation on politics and funding!
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Shutdowns Create Spending Pressure
- Ron Johnson says repeated shutdowns and CRs create fiscal cliffs that force rushed, larger spending bills.
- He argues automatic rolling CRs would remove manufactured pressure and restore orderly appropriations.
Use Short Rolling CRs
- Pass the Eliminate Shutdown Act to create rolling 14-day continuing resolutions when appropriations aren't passed.
- Use these CRs to buy time to consider and pass individual appropriations instead of omnibus bills.
Sequential Appropriations Reduce Omnibus Risk
- Rolling CRs let Congress finish appropriation bills one at a time and reduce last-minute omnibus stuffing.
- Johnson sees this as a path to two- or three-year appropriations and more orderly oversight.