Sponsors (56)
The bill protects local providers and children from service interruptions during federal shutdowns by guaranteeing later reimbursement, at the cost of potential short-term cash stress for small districts, weaker incentives to avoid shutdowns, and possible higher federal taxpayer costs over time.
State and local governments and school districts that covered Head Start/Early Head Start costs during a federal shutdown will be reimbursed after the shutdown, reducing net financial losses and helping preserve local budgets and other services.
Children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start in jurisdictions that fronted funding face fewer service interruptions because local entities can continue programs during shutdowns.
Smaller school districts and local governments that must front Head Start costs during a shutdown may face short-term cash-flow stress or be forced to cut other services while waiting for reimbursement.
Guaranteeing reimbursement after a shutdown reduces immediate political pressure on Congress to avoid funding lapses, weakening incentives to prevent future shutdowns.
Taxpayers could ultimately bear higher costs if the federal government incurs extra administrative costs or borrows to finance reimbursements after shutdowns.
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 keep Head Start/Early Head Start participation during a federal shutdown, payable after the shutdown ends.
Requires the federal government to reimburse states, local governments, and school districts for their own money used to keep Head Start and Early Head Start programs running during any federal government shutdown caused by a lapse in appropriations. Reimbursement would be paid after the shutdown ends. A separate short-title provision only names the Act and does not change substantive law.
Introduced October 17, 2025 by Maxine Waters · Last progress October 17, 2025