Mandate congress to remain in session until government shutdown is resolved

The Issue

Every time our government shuts down, millions of Americans are left in uncertainty — federal workers go unpaid, veterans face delayed benefits, and families lose access to critical services. These shutdowns don’t just freeze budgets; they shake public trust. Our leaders were elected to serve the people, not to walk away during moments of crisis.

Congress should be required to remain in session until a funding agreement is reached and the government is fully reopened. No recesses, no extended breaks — only cooperation and accountability. When everyday Americans face hardship, we don’t get to clock out; neither should our elected officials.

This petition calls on congressional leaders and representatives across both parties to introduce a simple rule: Congress must stay in continuous session during any government shutdown. America needs action, not abandonment — and the people deserve to know that our government will keep working until the job is done.

Why is this important?
Government shutdowns hurt everyone — from federal workers to veterans, families, and small businesses. They create fear, delays, and instability for millions of Americans. Yet many lawmakers hold substantial wealth and can no longer relate to the struggles of everyday people. Over half of Congress are millionaires, insulated from the real hardship these shutdowns cause.

Requiring Congress to remain in session until a shutdown is resolved ensures they stay at the table until a deal is reached — for the people they represent, not their own comfort. It’s time for leaders to prove they care by working nonstop to end gridlock and put Americans first. This petition demands accountability, empathy, and action over politics.

The people of the United States are enduring hardships due to the ongoing government shutdown. Vital services that many families rely upon are disrupted, and countless hardworking Americans are left in uncertain, precarious situations. Despite this, the House of Representatives is not in session, allowing this issue to persist without immediate resolution. This is unacceptable. We demand that our elected officials exhaust every opportunity and remain relentless in their pursuit of a solution.

We propose a mandate that prevents Congress from adjourning their sessions until a compromise is reached, reopening the government for the welfare of its citizens. Too often, negotiations stall, leaving the American people to suffer the consequences while political leaders face none of the discomfort or distress caused by their stalemates. It is time our representatives share in the urgency and discomfort felt by those they serve.

By holding congressional sessions open-ended at times of a government shutdown, we ensure our leaders remain committed to problem-solving. The requirement for them to sleep in their offices or chambers until a resolution is achieved would press upon them the immediacy and severity of the situation, much akin to the nation's mood.

This continuous session will force engagement and swift action. The inability of the House Speaker to adjourn the meeting emphasizes the need for cooperation. As financial struggles are no longer a concern for many high net-worth congress members, there is no reasonable excuse for delays in addressing the shutdown.

This proposal compels our leaders to live through the shutdown's inconvenience and pressure, thus encouraging a faster, more deliberate approach to resolve these critical issues. We are calling on the government to prioritize the interests and welfare of its citizens above party politics.

We urge the American people to take a stand and sign this petition. Demand accountability and action from our Congress. Let us ensure they remain steadfast at the discussion table, working tirelessly until the shutdown is lifted and sense of normalcy restored to our nation. Sign now to make your voice heard and enforce real change for our future.

Josh RamirezPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Victory

This petition made change with 9 supporters!

The Issue

Josh RamirezPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Victory

This petition made change with 9 supporters!

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The Decision Makers

U.S. House of Representatives,

15 Members

1 Responded

Ted Lieu

U.S. House of Representatives - California 36th Congressional District

“A Note from the Civic Engagement Team: Change.org provides a tool that allows petition starters and supporters to email decision makers directly from our platform. the following is an exchange between the petition starter and Rep. Ted Lieu that shows civic dialogue in action . Rep. Ted Lieu: Thank you for reaching out. I understand your frustration. The problem with your petition is that you do not correctly identify the problem. Republican Speaker Johnson has put Republicans on vacation for six weeks. It helps him and Republicans when you muddle things by blaming all of Congress, instead of laying blame squarely on the Republican Speaker. Republicans control the White House, the Senate and the House. They would love nothing more than to have the American people be confused. I’ve flown back to DC for 5 weeks even though Republican Speaker Johnson cancelled session, so I support your sentiment. But the petition helps Republicans by implying somehow it’s an everyone problem when it is not. It is a Republican shutdown. Petition Starter: Thank you for taking the time to reply. I truly appreciate your willingness to engage, but I must respectfully disagree with the notion that this shutdown and government dysfunction can be laid entirely at the feet of one party. Two wrongs do not make a right, and deflecting blame helps no one — not the people struggling to make ends meet, not the nation, and certainly not democracy itself. You are an elected official. You already hold the position of leadership that many citizens, including myself, can only appeal to. So I ask you: please do not wait for ordinary voters to fix what those in power are capable of addressing. You have both the authority and the platform to speak up louder, to lead rather than follow, and to break through the noise of partisan blame. The people who voted for you did so believing you would rise above party loyalty and act in the nation’s best interest. Do not play their game — expose it. Take this petition and bring it to the media. Use your voice to amplify what so many Americans are feeling: frustration, exhaustion, and disappointment in the very leaders who are supposed to serve them. Leadership requires courage, not comfort. If your current strategy is to remain silent or restrained, I must tell you honestly — democracy demands more. It needs leaders who act with moral conviction, not those who hide behind partisan lines or talking points. And let’s be honest — don’t gift the public a donkey and call it a horse. Promises of “fighting for the people” ring hollow without action. We need bold legislative ideas, not recycled excuses. Congress must pass meaningful reforms that restore faith in government. Start by addressing the ongoing chaos at the border and within our immigration system — an issue that has spiraled for years while political sides bicker. Why not be the one who finally stands up and proposes real accountability? Demand oversight and transparency across federal agencies, especially Customs and ICE. Propose legislation requiring body cameras on all federal agents. Ensure that local and state law enforcement have the right to detain any federal officer who violates the Constitution, uses excessive force, or makes arrests without proper warrants. Such reforms would send a powerful message that no one is above the law — not even federal agents. You could also take it a step further: affirm that responsible gun ownership and the right to self-defense are fundamental American principles. A federal open carry law, modeled after Texas, would ensure that citizens and federal officers alike think twice before acting with hostility or disregard for rights. We both know what’s coming. The chaos at the border and in Washington is being allowed to escalate intentionally — to justify the eventual deployment of the National Guard into states, consolidating power further and eroding civil freedoms in the name of “order.” You have a choice: either be complicit in that silence, or rise as a leader who spoke up before it was too late. History does not remember those who stayed quiet; it remembers those who took a stand when it was hardest. Use this moment — use your office — to do more than talk. Introduce bills. Demand accountability. Lead with conviction. Because right now, the American people need more than another partisan talking point; they need someone willing to act. Rep. Ted Lieu: Thank you for your response. Democrats have introduced bills to do what you say in this below paragraph. And we can’t get a single vote scheduled or a hearing or anything done because, again, Republicans control the White House, the Senate and the House. By confusing the American into thinking somehow Democrats are responsible for the crap that is happening, you are playing right into Republicans’ hands. You need to identify correctly who is at fault. “Why not be the one who finally stands up and proposes real accountability? Demand oversight and transparency across federal agencies, especially Customs and ICE. Propose legislation requiring body cameras on all federal agents. Ensure that local and state law enforcement have the right to detain any federal officer who violates the Constitution, uses excessive force, or makes arrests without proper warrants. Such reforms would send a powerful message that no one is above the law — not even federal agents.” Petition Starter: Thank you for your response, though it’s becoming increasingly clear that my full message isn’t being read — or at least not by you personally. It feels like selective points are being pulled from my email while the larger substance and intent are being ignored. I understand your office is busy, but this is precisely the problem so many voters have with Washington — genuine communication has been replaced with filtered replies and talking points. If you read my entire message, you’d see that my argument isn’t about defending one party or confusing the American public. It’s about calling for true leadership — the kind that doesn’t just recycle blame but takes bold, decisive action regardless of political alignment. You’re in a position of influence and responsibility. That means your words and actions carry weight, especially when others in Congress refuse to step up. I’m not here to play party games. I’m a registered Republican, but I don’t follow blind loyalty — I follow reason and principle. When I said “two wrongs don’t make a right,” I meant exactly that. Blaming Republicans exclusively or Democrats exclusively gets us nowhere. It’s about individuals in leadership choosing to rise above partisan interests and fight for what’s right — even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular. You say Democrats have introduced bills. Then why aren’t those bills being shouted from the rooftops? Why aren’t they being fought for publicly in front of the American people instead of quietly filed away? Leaders don’t just file paperwork; they make noise, demand votes, and bring attention to the issues that matter. You have that power. If you truly want accountability and transparency, then take this message as an opportunity to do what most politicians won’t: speak honestly and act decisively. Bring the petition to the media, challenge the Speaker openly, and show both parties that you’re willing to lead, not follow. The American people are watching — and so far, too many in Washington seem content to do the bare minimum while the country drifts toward deeper division and distrust. Please read my message in full next time. I’m not your enemy. I’m someone who still believes leadership is possible if those in office choose to exercise it. Rep. Ted Lieu: Thank you for your engagement. You clearly are trying to do more than most constituents. I have read your entire emails. I understand the point you are making. My replies are not talking points. I’m trying to point out the reality of the situation. For five weeks I and other House Democrats have been going back to DC shouting all sorts of things from the rooftops. You may or may not have heard any of it depending on what media you are watching. For example, we have been demanding that Republican Speaker Johnson stop cancelling session in DC. We can’t even negotiate with House Republicans because he has kept them on vacation. So to read a petition that somehow blames all of Congress, which would include Democrats, for not being in session is really frustrating. Petition Starter: Thank you for your response and for clarifying your position. I appreciate that you’ve taken the time to read my messages and that you and your colleagues are working to hold Speaker Johnson accountable. However, with respect, that little bit of frustration you feel is nothing compared to what the American people feel every single day. We’re the ones living with the consequences while Washington points fingers and gets nothing done. I do recognize that Democrats are pushing back, but as the saying goes, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Clearly, what’s being done now isn’t working. The Speaker continues to stall, and the public sees no real progress — just more gridlock and talk. If you truly want to break through the noise and bring meaningful change, it’s time to come at this from new and bolder angles. Here are specific actions that could make a real impact and increase national pressure on the Speaker: 1. File targeted lawsuits challenging congressional inaction on immigration, budget authority, or constitutional responsibilities. Use the courts to force transparency and accountability where political negotiation has failed. 2. Take the fight public. Go on major news networks, local outlets, and podcasts to expose how Speaker Johnson’s refusal to act is hurting ordinary Americans. Public outrage drives political will. 3. Stage a high-visibility event. Stand in front of an ICE detention center, VA facility, or another federal site that symbolizes dysfunction, and hold a press conference demanding congressional action. 4. Build bipartisan coalitions with governors and mayors. Coordinate with leaders from both parties—especially in border and coastal states—to issue joint public statements demanding that Congress stay in session until solutions are reached. 5. Hold a “No-Vacation Congress” press event. Stand on the Capitol steps with every member willing to work through the shutdown and announce, “We’re staying on the job until the government reopens.” 6. Launch a citizens’ accountability tour. Travel to affected districts and hold open town halls with families missing paychecks, veterans waiting for care, and small-business owners struggling through the shutdown. Bring the human cost directly to the public eye. Additional proposals based on Congressional procedure and law: 7. Invoke House Rule IX – “Questions of Privilege.” Under Rule IX, any member can raise a question of the privileges of the House to protect its integrity and functioning. You could introduce a privileged resolution declaring that the Speaker’s refusal to hold session undermines the House’s constitutional duties. That forces a recorded vote within two legislative days and puts every member publicly on record. 8. Demand an independent Select Committee on Shutdown Accountability. Use your authority under House Rule X to propose a select committee specifically to investigate how leadership decisions contribute to repeated shutdowns. Even introducing the resolution draws media attention and pressures leadership to act before the vote. 9. File a discharge petition for critical funding or immigration bills. A discharge petition under House Rule XV lets 218 members bypass the Speaker entirely and bring a bill directly to the floor. If you organize bipartisan signatures on one essential funding measure, it would prove Congress can function without the Speaker’s gatekeeping. 10. Request a joint bipartisan “Committee of the Whole” hearing televised nationally. Use Rule XVIII to convene a Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union to debate the shutdown’s impact. It’s an underused procedural tool that allows extended public discussion and can spotlight the issue for hours live on C-SPAN, drawing public awareness far more effectively than closed-door sessions. These ten combined actions blend legal strategy, procedural power, and visible leadership. They would demonstrate that Congress is capable of self-governance, even under obstruction. The public is desperate for solutions and will rally behind any representative who shows real initiative instead of party loyalty.”