Senate Democrats betrayed the trust of the public when they voted for a government shutdown Tuesday night, and the officials responsible for it should be held accountable.

As Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) told the Washington Examiner, “The livelihoods of hardworking Americans are not bargaining chips.”

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ANDY BARR: WHY I’M INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO END GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS

During a government shutdown, the paychecks of almost 1 million people are delayed, crucial public services are disrupted, the economy is destabilized, the GDP is reduced by 0.2% every week the government is nonoperational, and the public’s confidence in our government continues to erode.

It is evident that the ramifications of government shutdowns are disastrous for families. Unfortunately, the members of Congress who forced the shutdown do not seem to grasp that concept.

However, a coalition of America’s servant-leaders does and has been working tirelessly to ensure that these unnecessary shutdowns come to an end and that the officials behind them are held responsible.

For example, Barr recently introduced the End Government Shutdowns Act to punish the federal government for enacting politically motivated shutdowns that delay the paychecks of almost 1 million people and disrupt crucial public services by keeping the government functional off of the prior year’s budget with 1% cuts after each month until an agreement is reached.

Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) introduced a Senate counterpart to the legislation.

Scott is also leading his No Budget, No Pay Act, which requires lawmakers to pass annual budget resolutions and appropriations bills on time or forgo their taxpayer-funded salaries.

These bills send an important message to the government: The electorate did not vote for, and will not tolerate, a nonworking government.

The shutdown we just entered has no time limit, and people close to the situation have told the Washington Examiner that they predict it will go on for a few weeks.

That means weeks of unaffordable consequences for the public, and that is unacceptable.

This is why Congress should enact legislation such as the End Government Shutdown Act. We need to impose safeguards for the public to ensure that our elected officials place the welfare of the public over their political agendas.

As Barr said, if enacted, his legislation would deliver consequences to the government for turning its backs on the public.

“The fiscally conservative solution that protects American families and restores stability to the federal government,” Barr told the Washington Examiner. “This legislation is designed to eliminate the threat of shutdowns by pressuring Congress to cut wasteful spending and come together to pass bipartisan funding bills on time.”

“By passing this bill, Congress can refocus on its most fundamental responsibility, funding the government and serving the American people,” Barr added.

Barr, Scott, and Johnson understand that government shutdowns are not a test of political strength — they are a failure of leadership to put the people first.

CHUCK SCHUMER’S BAD SHUTDOWN BET 

By advancing commonsense legislation such as the End Government Shutdowns Act and the No Budget, No Pay Act, Congress has the opportunity to restore accountability, defend America’s paychecks, and protect America’s standing at home and abroad.

It is time to put an end to shutdown brinkmanship once and for all and ensure that the government the people entrust with power remains open, functional, and focused on serving them.