Washington • Sen. Mike Lee joined several fellow Republicans on Friday to introduce legislation that would automatically fund the government if Congress fails to pass a budget, a measure intended to prevent shutdowns like the current closure that is likely to be the longest in American history.
Here’s the catch: If Congress doesn’t pass a budget, the government remains funded but spending will be cut by 1 percent after the first 120 days and then 1 percent every 90 days until there’s a spending plan passed and signed by the president.
In essence, without congressional action, government budgets will be slashed little by little, a move long cheered by Lee, R-Utah, and conservatives.