Head Start Shutdown Protection Act of 2025
Introduced Oct 17, 2025 by Rep. Maxine Waters
It's waiting on a committee vote to reach the full chamber. Most bills never leave this stage.
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse a state, local government, or school district that uses its funds to maintain participation in the Head Start program or the Early Head Start program during a government shutdown in which there is a lapse in federal appropriations for the programs.
The Head Start programs provide comprehensive early childhood education and development services to low-income children. The programs seek to promote school readiness through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No floor votes yet — it hasn't reached the floor of either chamber.