Government Shutdown
The longest federal government shutdown in history ended on November 12 following passage of a temporary funding package in both houses of Congress that was subsequently signed by the President. This gives Congress a new deadline of January 30 to pass further appropriations bills, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill to avoid another shutdown. The agreement ensures that federal employees who were furloughed or required to work without pay will receive full back pay and it reverses layoffs that have occurred since October 1. Read more at Disability Scoop’s article, “As Government Reopens, Ed Department Brings Back Fired Special Education Staffers“.
In addition, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be funded through September 2026. However, the package does not address the expiring enhanced health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which was a major driver of the shutdown itself; instead, the deal was reached with a promise of a December vote to extend the expiring ACA subsidies. Without Congressional action, many individuals and families will see their health insurance premiums more than double.
Medicaid
Advocates still await guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services on the implementation of work requirements and eligibility redeterminations; however, states are already making cuts to rates for home and community-based services because of the Federal cuts and the cost of implementing these new systems. Per the Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid Enrollment & Spending Growth: FY 2025 & 2026, November 13, 2025), almost two-thirds of states indicated “likely” or “almost certain” Medicaid budget shortfalls due to implementation of HR 1.
TASH joined a letter with 50 other organizations urging the Administration to use guidance and rulemaking to provide maximum protection for people with disabilities, older adults, and caregivers from coverage loss or disruptions.
Continued Attacks on the Department of Education
Following the significant reduction in force at the Department of Education that disproportionately affected the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), the end of the shutdown does not appear to mean that the Administration will be backtracking from those cuts to staffing as part of its effort to shutdown the Department of Education. Although some of the layoffs at the Department of Education are reversed by court orders or by the recent government reopening package, there are numerous reports that the Department of Education is considering transferring special education programs to the Department of Health and Human Services. Advocates have requested an oversight hearing to provide transparency and information on how such a plan would be implemented.
TASH continues to join with allies to advocate against this massive reduction in staffing for agencies that enforce rights and support people with disabilities’ access to education and employment. ASAN has a newly published Plain Language resource about the threats to IDEA.
Social Security
Social Security is a lifeline for millions of people with disabilities, and it is also under threat. A new proposed rule from the Social Security Administration would put benefits at risk for over 100,000 people with disabilities. Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a lifeline for children with disabilities whose families have limited income and resources.
For additional information and resources on public policy, visit TASH’s Advocacy Tools & Resources on our website.
Washington Update logo image credit: Romain Pontida, Creative Commons, Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic, some modifications.