Uncertainty Persists After Government Shutdown Ends

After a record 43-day shutdown, the federal government reopened on Wednesday, Nov. 12, after President Donald Trump signed a funding package. The U.S. House approved Resolution 222-209, funding parts of the government through January, and others through fall 2026. According to the resolution’s language, the agreement will also reverse the mass federal layoffs that occurred during the shutdown.

One concern voiced by officials during the shutdown was how, and if, states would be able to fund programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. According to officials, some states briefly issued full SNAP benefits before the Supreme Court paused a lower court order that required the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fully fund the program. Other states, including Washington, began sending full and partial benefits to some residents, officials said, although it is unclear what the criteria were. Lexie Kuznick, director of policy and government relations for the American Public Human Services Association said many states could distribute full SNAP benefits within one to three days, though some might take up to a week. In an interview with CNN, she added that states that initially issued partial benefits would need to calculate the additional amounts owed to recipients, a process expected to take approximately one week.

According to Rep. Baumgartner (R-Spokane), the funding package aims to provide full-year allocations for agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, military construction, and legislative branch appropriations, “marking significant wins for eastern Washington.” Baumgartner stated that his vote helped secure funding for several local projects under the Agriculture Appropriations Bill, including:

• $1 million for Washington State University’s Agricultural Research Service building furnishings project.

• $2 million for NEW Health Association’s Chewelah expansion and regional workforce development center.

• $1 million for Tri-State Health’s family medicine residency project.

The funding package received support from Republican representatives Dan Newhouse and Baumgartner, along with one Democratic breakaway, Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez. The other seven democratic representatives from Washington state voted against the package, according to officials.

Although the shutdown has ended, delays are still expected as departments catch up on research grants, economic reports and six weeks of missed communications. Officials said that with funding for some agencies only guaranteed through January 2026, similar disruptions could arise in three months.