H.R. 5542 — End Government Shutdowns Act

This section establishes automatic continuing appropriations in new 31 U.S.C. §1311 if no regular appropriation measure or joint resolution for a fiscal year is enacted before the fiscal year begins or a continuing resolution is in effect. Such appropriations continue programs, projects, and activities funded in the prior fiscal year at a rate not exceeding the lower of 99% of the prior year's level (with 1 percentage point reductions every 30 days after the first 30-day period, extending beyond the fiscal year if needed), subject to the prior year's terms and conditions, from the first day of an appropriations lapse until a regular appropriation act or continuing resolution becomes law. Appropriations made under this section do not apply if another law provides funding or specifically prohibits it for the period, and expenditures are charged to final appropriations once enacted; a clerical amendment adds the new section to the table of sections for 31 U.S.C. chapter 13. (Thus, funding automatically continues at declining rates during lapses, avoiding full shutdowns but reducing operations over time.)