POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Shutdown scaries strike again

Shutdown scaries strike again

By KELLY GARRITY 

 

09/26/2025 07:31 AM EDT

HERE WE GO AGAIN —  Members of Congress will return Monday to a familiar scene: A looming government shutdown with Democrats and Republicans deadlocked over a stopgap government funding bill.

Washington has become pretty familiar with shutdown scares over the past decade. They tend to follow a similar script: Swap proposals through September, then pass a last-minute stopgap funding measure before the end of the federal fiscal year that kicks negotiations down the road.

But unlike most of the recent federal funding fights, it’s Democrats who are demanding policy promises before they’ll support a spending bill, and that includes members of Massachusetts’ all-Democratic delegation.

Congressional Democrats are demanding that any funding bill include protections for certain health-care programs, like the enhanced tax credits in the Affordable Care Act. Rep. Jake Auchincloss’s Majority Democrats group laid out their own list of demands that called for a reversal of Medicaid cuts passed in the "one big, beautiful bill" and the restoration of some public safety grants. Republicans will need support from 10 of their colleagues across the aisle in the Senate to avoid a filibuster and pass any short-term spending legislation.

The shutdown stakes are higher this time around: The White House budget office is instructing federal agencies to prep plans for mass firings if a shutdown does happen, per POLITICO’s Sophia Cai, targeting employees who work for programs that are not legally required to continue.

For now, Democrats aren’t changing their tune. “Republicans need to get serious. Restore health care, and avoid a government shutdown,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a video posted on X Thursday. And Sen. Ed Markey struck a similar note. “Unless Republicans reverse the cuts causing a health care crisis in our country, then I’m not voting for a budget that takes money and care away from families just to give it to tax breaks for CEO billionaires,” he said in a statement.

And the blame game is already underway. “If the government shuts down, it’ll be the fault of Donald Trump and Republicans who are refusing to work across the aisle to reach a deal,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. If Republicans get their way, she added, “millions of people will lose their health care, costs will keep going up for everyone, and services that our families, children, seniors and veterans rely on will be disrupted.”

The 2019 government shutdown hit more than 8,000 federal workers in Massachusetts, and tens of thousands of Bay State-based workers could be at risk again. The state is home to 46,000 people employed by the federal government, according to the governor’s office.

A shutdown could also disrupt social safety net programs, including supplemental food aid programs reliant on federal dollars. Some universities in the state were already warning their employees that a shutdown could disrupt research funding and slow down visa process for international students.

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF.

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll speaks at an event announcing Salem’s formal partnership with UNICEF USA at 9 a.m. and attends the Brain Aneurysm Foundation’s 7th annual Tinlin Family 18 for 18 Golf Tournament reception at 1 p.m. in Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at the annual Massachusetts Recovery Day at 10 a.m. downtown and cuts the ribbon on the upgraded William E. Carter School at 11 a.m.

THIS WEEKEND — Michael Collins, chancellor of the UMass Chan Medical School, is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday.

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

DEPARTURE LOUNGE —  Former state Rep. Sarah Peake is retiring next week as a senior adviser for intergovernmental affairs in the Healey administration.

Being a part of the administration was “an honor and a wonderful experience” she said in a statement shared by the governor’s office. “As my 68th birthday is approaching, I realize that there is traveling that my wife and I want to do, and we are both looking forward to having more time to spend with our families and friends. Working first as a [state representative] and now for the governor is an honor and privilege that not many people get to have. I feel blessed to have served for the past 19 years.”

Healey called Peake “a talented leader, adviser and friend,” and wished “the very best in her well deserved retirement.” Peake’s last day is Sept. 29.

— Senate President Karen Spilka says Massachusetts needs a ‘more inclusive flag’ by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Senate President Karen Spilka said she believes Massachusetts needs a ‘more inclusive’ flag, throwing her support behind an effort to replace the version that features a colonist’s arm holding a sword over a Native American. The effort to replace the state flag has seen hundreds of thousands of dollars allocated to two state commissions — one failed to come up with recommendations — and contentious arguments over whether the current version is offensive or a respected historical symbol.”

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FROM THE HUB

— BPS recommended exam school admission policy would eliminate some bonus points, offer some seats citywide by John Hilliard, The Boston Globe: “Boston Public School administrators are considering recommended changes to the city’s three exam school admission policy that proponents say would make the enrollment process more fair and predictable, but critics say risk rolling back progress that allows more disadvantaged students to enroll in Boston’s most prestigious schools. On Thursday night, Superintendent Mary Skipper recommended removing the school-based bonus points the current admissions policy gives to students from high-poverty schools. She also recommended reducing the number of points students receive if they are homeless, live in public housing or are in the care of the Department of Children and Families.”

— Boston is making it easier for restaurants to upgrade their alcohol licenses by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, WBUR.

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

MORE PAC ACTION — The “We Are Different” PAC has started spending on Boston’s City Council races, boosting at-large Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia and Henry Santana with digital ads.

The PAC spent $500 split among the three incumbents, according to records filed Thursday with the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance. The biggest donor: SEIU Local 509’s PAC transferred $20,000 to the PAC.

— City Council candidate James Roy speaks about past substance use by Colin Hogan, The New Bedford Light.

FROM THE DELEGATION

— Sens. Warren, Markey press Marco Rubio to protect Gaza aid flotilla that includes Bay Staters by John L. Micek, MassLive: “U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are calling on the State Department to step up to protect a flotilla, whose ranks include two Massachusetts residents, that’s carrying food and aid to Gaza. The Bay State Democrats, joined by U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., sent the appeal to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging him to intervene with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.”

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— Cannabis Control Commission chair’s return delays pot cafe rules by Matthew Medsgar, Boston Herald: “The Cannabis Control Commission’s plan to have regulations for social consumption of marijuana ready in time for Halloween has been pushed back to make way for the sudden return of formerly ousted Chair Shannon O’Brien. O’Brien returned to her job last week after two years of forced absence, following a judge’s order that she should serve out the remaining two years on her five year term. Her return has led the commission to postpone meetings planned for next week in order to go over last minute changes to a draft of their social consumption regulations, which commissioners have been working on for most of a year.”

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THE LOCAL ANGLE

— Leominster family, ICE dispute circumstances of man's arrest by Rachel Gow, Telegram & Gazette: “The federal government and a Leominster family are at odds over the details of an attempted arrest of a Guatemalan man who has lived in the United States for 24 years. A Leominster mother alleges Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents held her 5-year-old autistic daughter outside their home to coerce her husband, Edwards Hip Mejia, into an arrest, according to comments she made to Telemundo. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, denied the accusations, calling them ‘a disgusting smear,’ in a statement.”

PAYWALL

Leominster family accuses ICE agents of using their daughter to trap, detain her parents

---

By Victoria Price

September 23, 2025

excerpt: 

LEOMINSTER, MASS. (WHDH) - A Leominster family, targeted by ICE, is accusing immigration agents of using their young daughter as bait to trap and detain her undocumented parents.

Cell phone video recorded by Edwards Hip Mejia’s wife shows the girl, 5, in their driveway, surrounded by armed federal officers. Her parents can be heard arguing and pleading with the agents from inside their home, but the family said agents refused to bring the girl to the door.

The family’s attorney said ICE agents eventually brought the girl, who is living with autism, to the Leominster police station. Leominster officers later brought her home.

“To me it was very clear from the video they were taunting her in an attempt to draw her out of house using her 5 year old daughter,” said Jacob Geller, the Hip family’s attorney.

WHDH

— Worcester city councilor seeks dismissal of charges against her stemming from ICE operation by Sam Turken, GBH News: “A district court judge said Thursday she needs to review police body camera footage before deciding whether to dismiss charges against Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj for her actions during a federal immigration operation in May.”

— Peabody teacher suspended over Charlie Kirk online comments ‘will not be returning’ to job, officials say by Travis Andersen, The Boston Globe: “A Peabody high school teacher who was suspended for comments about Charlie Kirk, the far-right activist killed in Utah earlier this month, ‘will not be returning’ to the classroom, according to officials and published reports. The superintendent of the Peabody school system, Josh Vadala, said in a statement that officials had placed two teachers at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School on leave earlier this month for ‘potential violations of district policies and procedures.’ Vadala had previously said the alleged violations were ‘including but not limited to inappropriate social media posts following the death of Charlie Kirk.’”

— Offshore wind labor force hoping for work that might not continue by Anastasia E. Lennon, The New Bedford Light.

— Taunton High lacks resources for 'alternative transportation' should GATRA strike by Emma Rindlisbacher, Taunton Daily Gazette.

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— Innis suspends race for U.S. Senate to support possible John E. Sununu run by Adam Sexton, WMUR: “Republican state Sen. Dan Innis is suspending his campaign for U.S. Senate and is encouraging another GOP contender to do the same. Innis was gearing up to run a swashbuckling, outsider campaign for U.S. Senate, but at the beginning of this month, former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu turned the race upside down.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Michael Cole is now the acting commissioner for the Department of Transitional Assistance, after former DTA Commissioner Jeff McCue retired last week.

— Cecille Joan Avila is the DTA’s new director of communications.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Brendan Creedon, Suffolk Register of Probate Stephanie Everett and Rich Calhoun. 

Happy belated to Mike Firestone, chief of policy for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who celebrated Thursday; and to Patrick Sullivan, who celebrated Wednesday.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Jack Eccles, Robert Cohen, former secretary of veterans affairs Francisco Urena, Nick VanSant, Misha Hyman and Abby Curran, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Matt Corridoni, Simon Winchester, Ryan Migeed, Kevin Ready, Molly Crosby of Planned Parenthood and Stephanie Blumenthal.

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

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Massachusetts braces for ‘gut punch’ of health insurance costs if Congress fails to act

 

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New from CommonWealth Beacon TELEHEALTH: New polling the MassINC Polling Group conducted for Commonwealth Beacon finds Massachusetts residents largely have not embraced telehealth despite its expansion in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer Smith has more.  GRADUATION: Massachusetts school districts continue their work to update competency and graduation requirements after voters decoupled MCAS exam scores from receiving a diploma. Sam Drysdale explains for State House News Service.  OPINION: Two young Democratic activists, both of whom supported Sen. Ed Markey when he faced a primary challenge five years ago from Joe Kennedy, say it’s now time for him to pass the torch and give way to younger leaders rather than seek reelection next year at age 80.

Massachusetts braces for ‘gut punch’ of health insurance costs if Congress fails to act   September 26, 2025 By Chris Lisinski

Massachusetts is already bracing for significant health care disruptions stemming from Republicans’ sweeping tax bill that cuts Medicaid funding, and policymakers are worried that even more residents will soon feel added strain because of federal inaction.

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A pandemic-era tax credit that has helped millions of Americans pay for health insurance is set to expire at the end of the year. Many Democrats, joined by state marketplace administrators and activists, are mounting an all-out blitz in support of extending the Biden-era aid as the threat of a federal government shutdown fast approaches.

But Republicans who control Congress so far have not indicated they plan to extend the so-called “enhanced premium tax credits,” at least not as part of a funding bill to keep government open past September 30. That deadline might be the last, best chance for supporters to get the tax credits renewed.

Without action, Massachusetts health care leaders and advocates warn the impacts could be dire. Hundreds of thousands of Bay Staters could face higher health insurance premiums next year. Some might need to pay more than three times as much to maintain roughly the same level of coverage. State budget-writers could wind up with a quarter-billion-dollar headache, too.

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“This feels like it would be a real gut punch to working families across the state if this was to be rolled back,” said Alex Sheff, senior director of policy and government relations for the advocacy group Health Care for All.

Officials at the Massachusetts Health Connector, the state’s health insurance marketplace, estimate that more than 337,000 residents will experience higher costs if Congress allows the credits to expire. The annual tax credit loss in Massachusetts for residents would amount to $425 million, or an average of $1,364 per person, according to a fact sheet the Connector began circulating this month as its leaders pressed for action.

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The federal tax credits not only helped Massachusetts residents afford health care, but they shifted some of the financial burden from the state, freeing up funding to expand subsidies to a larger swath of people who need help. If policymakers want to keep the lowest-cost plans available to Massachusetts consumers at roughly similar rates, they might need to kick in hundreds of millions more in state funding to make up for lost federal dollars.

State officials have spent recent weeks notifying residents that they might lose significant subsidies, and face greater expenses, if the program sunsets.

“Letting people know the prospect that their ability to continue to afford coverage is in question as a result of congressional inaction so far is a worrying place to be in as a marketplace,” said Connector executive director Audrey Morse Gasteier. “The clock is really ticking.”

READ MORE

More Context Medicaid enrollment drops by 383,000 from COVID high (June 2024) With Democrats united, Healey signs $56b budget (August 2023)

More from CommonWealth Beacon PRECARIOUS POSITION: It’s been two years since Leominster’s only maternity unit closed. The fallout paints a complicated picture in a state that technically has no ‘maternity deserts.’ But experts and advocates say recent losses and impending cuts to Medicaid make maternal health care access in Massachusetts something that stands to get worse. Hallie Claflin has more.

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What We're Reading KOCH: Quincy mayor Thomas Koch set off a firestorm earlier this week with comments he made describing the 2000s Catholic clergy sexual abuse scandal as “mostly homosexuality issues, not pedophilia,” then both apologized and defended his remarks during a subsequent School Committee meeting. (WBUR)  WIND: Offshore wind has been poised to create a new workforce, but the Trump administration’s efforts to halt most projects has employees concerned about their prospects. (The New Bedford Light)  SHUTDOWN: The state comptroller’s office asked executive branch leaders to lay out contingency plans for how to manage payroll and services if a federal government shutdown begins next week. (State House News Service via NBC Boston)  COLLEGES: Some Massachusetts colleges are being targeted in a national campaign that appears to use records access laws to pull campuses into culture-war debate. (GBH News)  MARIJUANA: Shannon O’Brien’s return to the Cannabis Control Commission will delay meetings about social marijuana consumption regulations by about a month as she gets back up to speed. (Boston Herald – paywall)

Published by MassINC

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