Dear Neighbor,
Now that the federal government shutdown is officially the longest in American history, I wanted to share an update on what the shutdown means for you, your family, and neighbors.
The Federal Government Shutdown
The Republican-controlled U.S. Congress has failed to pass a budget that would fund the government through fiscal year 2026. The government shutdown began on Oct. 1, 2025, and, in my opinion, has caused unnecessary delays and interruptions to various public services and critical programs millions of Michiganders and Americans rely on.
This comes at a time when many Michiganders are already struggling to get by — let alone get ahead. This shutdown only makes matters worse.
The federal shutdown is already hitting people hard right here in Michigan. From job cuts and missed SNAP food assistance to daycare facility closures and travel delays, the shutdown is detrimental for Michiganders. Already, over 29,000 federal employees in Michigan have stopped getting their paychecks and 1.4 million SNAP recipients in Michigan are uncertain about when or if they will receive benefits.
Simply put, the federal shutdown means working families will have less food to go around, missed paychecks, closed daycares and delayed travel.
But I am not backing down. I’m fighting so Michiganders don’t have to pay the price for D.C.’s dysfunction. This should not be about winning politics. This is about making sure people can afford their health care and making sure hungry people get food.
How the Federal Government Shutdown Affects Michiganders
SNAP Updates
The holidays are fast approaching and people across Michigan are feeling the pain of high grocery prices. On Thursday, Nov. 6, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released a statement following a federal court order directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to resume full November SNAP benefits for Michigan households.
However, the situation continues to shift. On Friday, Nov. 7, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary stay that paused the lower court’s order, allowing the president’s administration to continue only partial SNAP payments while the appeals process plays out.
Then, on Sunday, Nov. 9, the First Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the administration’s attempt to block the lower court ruling, a win for the states pushing for full benefits. However, the ruling has no immediate impact because the Supreme Court’s temporary stay remains in effect, leaving millions of Americans – including about 1.4 million Michiganders – still in limbo.
In the meantime, several states, including Michigan, have already issued benefits to at least some recipients. USDA has since directed states to “undo” those full issuances and revert to partial payments while the stay is in place.
Bottom line: it is still unclear when all Michigan SNAP recipients will receive their full November benefits. The outcome depends on whether Congress finalizes a bipartisan deal to reopen the federal government and fund SNAP through the rest of the fiscal year. A deal has been reached in the Senate to end the shutdown and reopen the government; it now moves to the House for consideration before potentially landing on the President’s desk.
Future updates regarding SNAP and November’s delayed benefit payments can be found at the MDHHS Newsroom.
Healthcare
A key sticking point in federal negotiations has been the extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA subsidies, which t are set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats have demanded an extension of the subsidies, while Republican leaders say they will not discuss the issue until the government is reopened.
If these subsidies are not extended, health care premium costs could more than double for some Michiganders, on top of increases to deductibles. Already, health insurance rates on Michigan’s ACA marketplace have spiked by 20%.
This government shutdown is personal, because access to health care is personal — inaction in D.C. is affecting you, your neighbors and your community. Democrats are fighting for you though. I am working hard to make certain that working and middle-class families across Michigan can afford the care they need and deserve.
Head Start (Child Care)
The federal government shutdown is triggering a wave of closures of Head Start centers, leaving many working parents scrambling for child care and shutting some of the nation’s neediest children out of preschool.
Nine Michigan early child care and education programs are at risk of losing the funds they need to stay open. They support close to 3,000 young kids. n.
Travel Delays
With the holidays right around the corner, I know many of you, your family members and friends will be traveling. Furloughed federal employees, including TSA agents and air traffic controllers, are going without pay until the shutdown is over. This is already creating delays at airports and train stations across the country, and things could worsen, especially during the already busy holiday season.
Affordability
As prices continue to rise, and bills pile up faster than paychecks, I know you and your family need relief and support now. The federal shutdown threatens so many critical supports — like utility bill aid — right as Michiganders enter into colder weather.
But House Democrats are working to bring down the costs of everyday things like housing, groceries, education and utilities, giving real financial breathing room for folks who need it most.
I’m fighting to put more money in your pocket through no tax on tips and overtime, on top of existing Working Families Tax Credits and our repeal of the retirement tax.
Times are tough, and uncertainty in Washington only makes things harder. But in Lansing, I’m staying in the fight to keep costs down, protect the support you rely on and build an economy where working people can not just get by, but get ahead.
Sincerely,
Helena Scott
State Representative
House District 8