A rather sensible idea from a Republican (for once)
Rob Portman Unveils ‘End Government Shutdowns Act’
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/rob-portman-unveils-end-government-shutdowns-act.php?ref=fpb
However, I have an even better one (and it will help with GOP obstructionism in the Senate as well): JUST DON'T PUT REPUBLICANS IN CHARGE OF ANYTHING IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! Anybody noticed that government shutdown threats and debt ceiling default threats don't ever happen whenever the Democrats are in charge of Congress yet? At least since 1995/1996, they *mysteriously* happen whenever Republicans are in charge of one or both Houses of Congress and we have a Democratic POTUS? Curious, isn't it? This is NOT how our government is supposed to operate- at least so I thought! Congresses come and go and some or Democratic-controlled and some are Republican-controlled but the Federal Government (unless you simply believe in anarchy and chaos) needs to be operating 24-7-365 to deliver vital services and, um, protect us (something that the Republicans never hesitate to remind us of, particularly whenever there's more defense contractors lining up at the trough and/or whenever they want to do another war).
Or maybe, too, Portman and his GOP colleagues should just, oh I don't know, DO THEIR JOBS AND STOP SENATE BUSINESS AND STOP THREATENING TO SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT EVERY FIVE SECONDS????? Not only is that possible but it doesn't even REQUIRE any legislation.