Sponsors (56)
The bill keeps Head Start/Early Head Start services running during federal shutdowns by promising post-shutdown reimbursement to local providers, trading short-term financial strain and potential higher federal costs — and possibly less pressure to avoid shutdowns — for continuity of services for children.
Children enrolled in Head Start/Early Head Start in jurisdictions that face a federal shutdown will experience fewer service interruptions because local providers can continue programs and be reimbursed afterward.
State and local governments and school districts that cover Head Start/Early Head Start during a shutdown will be reimbursed for those costs after the shutdown ends, reducing the ultimate financial burden on those local entities.
Local budgets and services are less likely to be disrupted because reimbursement reduces short- and medium-term fiscal strain, helping preserve other local programs and fiscal stability.
Taxpayers as a whole may face higher costs if the federal government incurs additional administrative expenses or borrows to reimburse jurisdictions after shutdowns.
Residents and taxpayers may face more frequent or prolonged shutdowns over time because guaranteeing reimbursement reduces immediate political and financial pressure on Congress to avoid funding lapses.
Smaller school districts and local governments that must front program costs during a shutdown may experience short-term cash-flow stress because reimbursement is delayed until after the shutdown ends.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the federal government to reimburse states, localities, and school districts for funds they used to maintain Head Start/Early Head Start participation during a lapse in federal appropriations.
Official title: To require the reimbursement of State governments, local governments, and school districts by the Government for funds used by them to maintain participation in Head Start and Early Head Start during a Government shutdown.
Introduced October 17, 2025 by Maxine Waters · Last progress October 17, 2025
Requires the federal government to repay state, local, and school district funds that were used to keep children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs during any lapse in federal appropriations that caused a government shutdown; reimbursements are paid after the shutdown ends. The law is limited in scope (two sections): it names the Act and creates this reimbursement requirement for eligible nonfederal entities that covered program costs during shutdowns.