Article Text

Congress faces a Jan. 30 deadline to fund the federal government, and Rep. James Walkinshaw says preventing another shutdown is a top priority as lawmakers return to Washington.

The Virginia Democrat said the record-long previous shutdown hit Fairfax County particularly hard, leaving federal employees and other residents worried about meeting basic needs.

“During the shutdown I think folks were really concerned about meeting basic needs,” Walkinshaw said.

The financial strain extended beyond furloughed federal workers. Walkinshaw said people receiving SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, faced uncertainty about whether their assistance would continue.

As budget negotiations resume, he plans to seek protections for federal workers and measures intended to prevent another shutdown and further reductions in force, or RIFs. Sweeping cuts to the federal workforce took place in 2025.

“I’ll continue fighting in that budget process to get protection for federal workers, keep the government open to prevent RIF’s,” Walkinshaw said.

Lawmakers will have only a few weeks to reach an agreement. Walkinshaw said Congress must approve either nine of the 12 appropriations bills or some combination of funding measures before the deadline.

“We’re going to be in a couple weeks sprint in January to get that done,” he said.

Congress also faces pressure over rising health insurance costs for millions of people covered through the Affordable Care Act. Tax credits that reduced premiums expired on New Year’s Day.

Walkinshaw said he signed a discharge petition designed to force a vote on extending those credits for three years. The timing of the vote remains uncertain, though it is expected this month.

While frustrated that the subsidies were allowed to expire, Walkinshaw said he remains hopeful Congress can approve relief to help people afford their health insurance premiums.