Rep. Mike Simpson Pushes Budget Reforms to Reduce Government Shutdowns
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Summary
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.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast presents Simpson's statements factually as a hearing excerpt with no added narration or graphics altering meaning. His historical notes on the filibuster and Budget Act align with established congressional procedure. Viewers miss the full committee debate, including Democratic concerns that automatic CRs could cede power to the executive and fail to address changing needs. Recent shutdowns referenced in context were the longest in history and a partial DHS shutdown. The framing emphasizes reform urgency without noting bipartisan elements or past large-majority shutdowns Simpson himself acknowledged.
Key Moments
Filibuster originally required 2/3 vote, lowered to 60, then to simple majority for nominations.
Matches Senate rules history: 1975 change to 60-vote cloture, nuclear option for nominations.
Shutdowns are getting worse and more frequent with narrower majorities.
Simpson's quote corroborated in GovExec coverage of the hearing; aligns with recent 2025-2026 shutdown events.
Congress has not followed the Budget Act of 1974, leading to deemed numbers instead of budget resolutions.
Standard critique of appropriations process; budget resolutions required but often bypassed.
Need to return to regular order and require authorizing committees to reauthorize programs.
Regular order is a frequent bipartisan goal, but implementation faces partisan and procedural hurdles not detailed here.
Notable Concerns
- Clip isolates one Republican member's comments, omitting Democratic counterarguments from the same hearing