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Day 26 of the Federal Government Shutdown: When States lead, Washington Sleeps

  • Writer: Mark Fukae
    Mark Fukae
  • Oct 26
  • 4 min read

An infographic with a teal background. On the right, a large yellow circle contains the title in green text: "Day 26: When States Lead, Washington Sleeps." Below the yellow circle, a quote in white text reads: "'While Washington naps on privilege, states wake up to purpose-proving that compassion, not gridlock, feeds families.'" to the left of a large white quotation mark. In the bottom right corner, a small circular logo for "Professionals Who Care" is visible. On the left side of the infographic, abstract, geometric patterns in shades of blue and purple are visible, including fragmented cubes and gears.
Day 26: When States Lead, Washington Sleeps. 😴 This quote perfectly captures the political reality for businesses and the care workforce: "While Washington naps on privilege, states wake up to purpose-proving that compassion, not intentional neglect , feeds families."

On Day 26 of the Federal Government shutdown, the ruling majority's inaction is forcing states to become the frontline defense for essential services. This isn't just a political choice; it's a direct externalization of risk onto state budgets and the stability of your employees.

PWC demands accountability and durable governance like the #AutoCR and #UniversalCaregiverBillOfRights. It's time to end the political privilege that endangers our workforce.


Care does not pause when Congress fails. For the business community, this federal shutdown is not an abstraction-it is a 26-day unmanaged liability creating economic instability across the workforce. This series documents the measurable costs of shutdown politics, tracks the money and policy moves behind the scenes, and pushes for durable policy guardrails so businesses are never again collateral damage.


Federal Failure Forces State Leadership


On Day 26 of the Federal Government Shutdown, a devastating truth is laid bare: The majority party, controlling both the Executive and Legislative branches, has abdicated its fundamental duty to govern.


While this ruling majority in Washington and the White House continue to draw paychecks, governors and state agencies in Michigan, Virginia, California, New York, and Washington are stepping in. They are using contingency funds, rapid vendor workarounds, and emergency grants to protect food security (WIC/SNAP) and social service contractors solely because the majority party chose absence over negotiation. These state budgets prove that protecting the care workforce and vital programs is fiscally possible, and the ruling majority's choice to abstain is purely political.


The Majority's Choice vs. State Necessity:


  • The House, controlled by the majority, has chosen to adjourn and stage partisan votes.

  • The Administration, led by the majority, authorized rapid reprogramming of $8 billion for some military payrolls, yet civilian workers, WIC, and SNAP remain unprotected.

  • The continued inaction is a clear hierarchy of worth that directly externalizes its political cost onto state budgets and family stability.


The Business Cost: Who Is Already Paying?


This paralysis, directly orchestrated by the ruling majority, creates cascading workforce failures:


  • Eviction and Credit Risk: Frozen federal paychecks (737,000 workers) trigger immediate financial crisis for employees, undermining workforce loyalty and security.

  • Supply Chain Disruption: Federal reimbursement delays force school meal coordinators and food banks to ration resources, indicating a massive breakdown in the national safety net.

  • Caregiver Turnover: Home-health aides are working without pay, facing repossession, and increasing turnover risk across the essential care workforce.


The states are demonstrating responsibility by using stopgaps; the ruling majority in Washington is demonstrating a deliberate failure to manage national economic risk.


The Blueprint for Durable Governance


PWC demands solutions that end this cycle of political risk:


  • Pass the AUTO-CR: Stop shutdowns from ever being used as political weapons again.

  • Adopt the Universal Caregiver Bill of Rights: Mandate the workplace predictability and economic security that stabilizes the workforce.

  • Advance the Federal CARE Act: Codify proven state-level protections, reducing the massive, unbudgeted employer costs associated with turnover (up to $69.4M annually in statewide employer savings).


Read the Full Analysis:


Find out exactly what actions governors are taking and why the ruling majority's inaction is costing you.


👉 Our Lives on Hold: States Step In While Washington Gets Paid 🔗 https://therevenueneutralcaregiver.substack.com/p/our-lives-on-hold-caregiving-in-the?r=6a52ih


Join the Coalition: Professionals Who Care is pushing for policy guardrails that make care predictable and protected.


References:

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References


Federal News Network. “Shutdown impact: What it means for workers, federal programs and the economy.” October 20, 2025.


National Conference of State Legislatures. “Federal Government Shutdown: What It Means for States and Programs.” Updated October 10, 2025.


KQED. “With SNAP in Shutdown Jeopardy, WIC Program for Families With Young Children Safe for Now.” October 23, 2025.


USA Today. “Will November SNAP benefits be sent? Shutdown could impact food stamps.” October 22, 2025.


Politico. “At least 25 states plan to cut off food aid benefits in November.” October 23, 2025.

ABC News. “SNAP benefits to halt in some states amid government shutdown.” October 21, 2025.


Breaking Defense. “Pentagon to shift $8B in R&D funds to pay troops.” October 12, 2025.

Military.com. “Here’s Why the Pentagon Says It Can Pay Troops with Money Intended for Research.” October 15, 2025.


Task & Purpose. “Some troops report mid-month pay issues after Pentagon shifts billions amid shutdown.” October 23, 2025.


CBS News. “Government shutdown hits Day 26 with no deal in sight.” October 26, 2025.


USA Today. “Government shutdown latest; Senate rejects Democratic and GOP efforts on federal pay.” October 23, 2025.


Poynter / Fact‑Checking. “Congress gets paid during a government shutdown. What about the janitors?” October 2025.


PolitiFact. “Food stamps: Facts to know as millions on SNAP face losing benefits during shutdown.” October 23, 2025.


Firstpost. “US shutdown impact: How federal workers, programs and the economy are affected.” October 18, 2025.


OurPublicService. “How the Federal Workforce is Impacted During a Government Shutdown (2025 Update).” October 8, 2025.


The Hill. “SNAP changes: Here’s who could lose benefits in November.” October 12, 2025.

FMI (Food Marketing Institute). “Some Clarity for SNAP and WIC Families Amid Shutdown Uncertainty.” October 24, 2025.


Knox News. “What is SNAP? What is WIC? And will those government benefits stop in November?” October 24, 2025.


RGJ (Reno Gazette‑Journal). “Shutdown threatens November SNAP benefits, WIC good through Dec. 23, officials say.” October 23, 2025.


KPAX / Scripps News. “Pentagon redirects $8B for military pay amid 14-day shutdown.” October 14, 2025.

 
 
 

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