Toledo Blade: Can bills from Ohio lawmakers prevent government shutdowns?

Could the fifth time be the charm for Sen. Rob Portman’s bill to end government shutdowns once and for all?

Mr. Portman, a Republican, believes so. Then again, he’s had a few false starts.

But when have lawmakers and the nation been this primed to do away with the anxiety and hardship of prolonged shutdowns?

“This legislation has been in five Congresses. We’ve never been able to get it passed,” Mr. Portman said Tuesday. “But I think finally there’s a sense that we’re tired of this; we want to see something different. And I’m hearing from Republicans and Democrats alike — even those who aren’t on my bill who might have a different idea — that we have to come up with a solution here.” …

While Mr. Portman is optimistic, some experts aren’t convinced his proposal will go anywhere.

“It seems to be somewhat of an attempt to provide Republican cover to show how they’re against potential government shutdown while still voting to continue to create a government shutdown,” said Aaron Scherb, director of legislative affairs with Common Cause, a government watchdog. “It seems to be a political tool.”

“If Republicans in Congress wanted to prevent a government shutdown, they could have,” he said. “They controlled all levels of government when it started.”