Government Funding 2025

Government Funding Update

On September 19, 2025, I voted for legislation to extend government funding through November 21 through a nonpartisan government funding deal. Unfortunately, the nonpartisan government funding bill has not been passed by the Senate, and a government shutdown began at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, October 1, after a lapse in appropriations for the federal government.  

The clean continuing resolution that passed the House was the same nonpartisan deal supported by House and Senate Democrats under the Biden administration and passed in a bipartisan fashion in March 2025. The only difference in the continuing resolution was an increase in security funding in light of the Charlie Kirk assassination.  

As your Member of Congress, I want to ensure you have the information you need. Below are some frequently asked questions about a shutdown and key information you need to know. Please do not hesitate to contact my office during this time as we will continue to work. 

My Offices

Please know that my team and I understand that this shutdown will be a challenge for families in communities across Michigan's 5th District and will continue to work during this time.  

This year, we have responded to over one hundred thousand constituent messages, and we will continue to do so during the shutdown. We have also helped Michigan's 5th District residents with casework, ensuring constituents receive the information they need and trying to resolve various issues with federal agencies, such as the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Unfortunately, our ability to assist constituents with situations like this will be impacted by the shutdown, as many departments and agencies will not be processing casework during this period. However, that work will resume once federal funding is resolved. If you are experiencing an issue with a federal agency, please call my Jackson District Office at (517) 780-9075 or fill out the contact form, and we will work with you on the paperwork that must be completed so we can file your case as soon as the federal funding is passed. 

During this time, my team and I will not be able to process flag orders or arrange tours of the United States Capitol, the White House, and other landmarks for constituents visiting Washington, D.C. If you are traveling to D.C. during this time, my office will still be open to visitors.  If you have any questions regarding flags or tours, please call my D.C. office at (202) 225-6276 or fill out the contact form here. 

Transportation Security Administration 

For those traveling, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will continue to operate. However, there may be longer-than-usual wait times to go through security at the airport. If you have a flight planned, I recommend arriving at the airport early to ensure you get through security in a timely manner. Please have patience with any delays and keep in mind that both TSA and air traffic controllers are currently working without pay.

Passports, International Travel, and Immigration Applications 

The current processing time for passports is 4 to 6 weeks, and passport services will continue to be available during the lapse in appropriations. However, for those who plan to travel internationally and need to renew their passport or get a new passport, it is recommended that you begin the process as soon as possible, as the shutdown may lead to longer delays. 

All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations, while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes.

Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, such as the 7(a) and CDC 504 loan programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations. 

For more information, please visit the SBA's website here. 

Student Loans

The Department of Education will continue to disburse student aid such as Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student loans, and student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt. The Department will also make Title I and IDEA grant funding available as usual. 

As available, permanent and multi-year appropriations will be used to continue some key operations such as processing Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

For more information, please visit the Department of Education's website here. 

Filing Taxes and Tax Refunds

If you filed for a six-month extension for your tax returns in April, you are still required to file by October 15. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is expected to maintain normal operations during a shutdown, meaning tax refunds and support should remain available.

For more information, you can view the IRS's contingency plan here.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Child Nutrition (CN) programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) shall continue operations during a lapse in appropriations, subject to the availability of funding. 

The Farm Service Agency will halt issuance of new farm loans, but will maintain some operations depending on the length of the shutdown.

If the shutdown is prolonged, states may run out of funds to perform meat and poultry inspections under cooperative agreements with the agency.

For more information, please visit the USDA's website here. 

This webpage will be updated as more information becomes available.