Topic · 3 reports

Congress

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Ciscomani: Current Guardrails Fail to Prevent Government Shutdowns

Jul 29, 2026

The Forbes Breaking News clip covers a House Appropriations Committee hearing on preventing government funding lapses. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) discusses living through multiple near-shutdowns and actual shutdowns since 2023, including impacts like $1.3 billion monthly gross state product loss in his district, disruptions to SNAP, WIC, and TSA. He argues the "pain" should fall on members of Congress rather than federal workers or the public, notes he withheld his pay, and states that existing guardrails and cultural norms no longer prevent shutdowns because leaders no longer constrain themselves. Former OMB Director Shalanda Young responds that the issue is people and leadership more than guardrails, advocating for earlier engagement in the appropriations process and keeping members in Washington longer. Ciscomani also questions how legislation would address decision-making by a small group of leaders affecting all 435 members.

▶ Source: Forbes Breaking News

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Maloy Questions Senate Buy-In for McClintock Budget Process Reform Bill

Jul 29, 2026

This Forbes Breaking News clip from a July 2026 House Appropriations Committee hearing on "Funding Lapses: Analyzing Shutdown Reform" shows Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) questioning witnesses, including Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), about the dysfunctional annual appropriations process. Malliotakis, who identifies as a relatively new appropriator, stresses the importance of yearly votes to maintain accountability to taxpayers and criticizes how the legislative "means" has become an end in itself. She expresses support for McClintock's bill to reform the process but questions the feasibility of Senate approval, given that senators would need to vote on changes affecting their own procedures.

▶ Source: Forbes Breaking News

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Rep. Mike Simpson Pushes Budget Reforms to Reduce Government Shutdowns

Jul 29, 2026

Forbes Breaking News aired a clip of Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) speaking during a July 22, 2026, House Appropriations Committee hearing on legislation to prevent government shutdowns. Simpson discussed the history of the filibuster, the constitutional role of appropriations, the need for budget resolutions, and how narrow majorities increase shutdown risks. He advocated returning to regular order under the 1974 Budget Act and greater compromise. The segment draws from Simpson's remarks in a hearing also featuring Sen. James Lankford's Prevent Government Shutdowns Act proposal for automatic continuing resolutions. Other participants included Chairman Tom Cole, Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, and OMB Director Shalanda Young. The throughline is congressional dysfunction in the appropriations process amid recent 2025-2026 shutdowns.

▶ Source: Forbes Breaking News