1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to end the current shutdown of the federal government, by enacting the budget for the new fiscal year 2026. As you are aware, the shutdown affects public schools by disrupting and delaying federal funding and services, and a prolonged shutdown will result in more severe consequences. As state reserves are depleted, school districts will experience severe cash flow problems, potentially forcing layoffs of staff and other budget cuts, further shaking trust in the federal government's commitment to education. Some federal funding is paid during the school year, not in a lump sum over the summer. One program that is immediately affected is Impact Aid, which provides funding for school districts that serve large numbers of children who live on tax-exempt federal lands, such as military bases and Native American reservations. A prolonged shutdown threatens the stability of programs serving disadvantaged communities, military families, and students with disabilities. This shutdown is unique in that the administration also announced plans for mass firings of federal workers, including those at the Department of Education. This makes the long-term impact on the department's capacity to oversee programs and provide support potentially more severe and lasting than in previous shutdowns. Finally, after a shutdown ends, it can take weeks for the federal government to resume normal operations. This can delay the resolution of backlogged issues and further complicate the already tenuous relationship between the federal government and state and local education agencies. For all of these reasons, I urge you to end the current federal government shutdown and the enactment of FY26 funding. Thank you.