Press Release  Governor Healey Protects Federal Workers from Evictions and Foreclosures During Government Shutdowns 

Boston —  Today, Governor Maura Healey celebrated provision in her Fiscal Year 2025 closeout supplemental budget that protects federal workers in Massachusetts from evictions and foreclosures during a government shutdown. This provision protects federal employees for at least 30 days after the end of a shutdown, unless the Governor chooses to extend the pause to 75 days after the end of the shutdown. Governor Healey used this executive authority last fall to extend support for federal workers during the shutdown.  

This provision, advocated for by Senator Lydia Edwards, was signed November 25, 2025 and continues to apply to any future government shutdowns.   

“Nobody who shows up to work every day to serve the people of Massachusetts should face the threat of losing their home because the federal government isn’t doing their job,” said Governor Healey. “This provision allows us to protect Massachusetts’ federal employees and provides them with relief during a federal shutdown. Thank you to Senator Edwards for her leadership advocating for this important bill.” 

“We have thousands of federal employees in Massachusetts, and their housing stability shouldn’t be threatened when the federal government shuts down,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re thankful for the advocacy of Senator Edwards for her continued leadership advocating for people’s housing rights in Massachusetts.”  

This provision creates a temporary pause on nonpayment evictions and residential foreclosures, and requires lenders to grant temporary mortgage forbearance, for Massachusetts workers involuntarily furloughed or forced to work without pay due to the federal shutdown. At least 25,000 federal employees were furloughed or forced to work without pay last fall.  

“Massachusetts families should never be collateral damage of the federal government’s dysfunction,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This law ensures that when the federal government abandons its workers, Massachusetts can step in to protect their housing and keep families in their homes. I applaud Senator Edwards for her leadership on this timely legislation and am heartened by the Senate’s unanimous support. I am deeply grateful to Governor Healey for signing this provision into law.” 

““No one should ever be at risk of losing their home because of a government shutdown,” said Senator Lydia Edwards, State Senator for the Third Suffolk District, and original filer of the amendment. “With today’s signing, that principle is now permanent. We are standing up for the federal workers and service members who serve our country and deserve stability in return. I’m grateful to Governor Healey for acting with urgency and for reaffirming our shared commitment to protecting the families who call Massachusetts home.” 

"The Massachusetts AFL-CIO is grateful to the Legislature and the Governor for taking swift action to keep our federal workers and service members in stable housing during a government shutdown,” said Chrissy Lynch, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “No worker should be at risk of eviction due to ongoing congressional gridlock. This moratorium is not a quick fix - it will help protect federal workers in Massachusetts during any future government shutdowns. We are especially grateful to Senator Lydia Edwards, a proud UAW member and Army National Guard JAG, for her fierce determination to protect her union siblings by leading this effort in the Legislature.” 

“Federal workers here in Massachusetts and across the country endured major financial hardship during the recent shutdown, and are anxious as we approach another funding deadline at the end of this month,” Rich Couture, President of AFGE Council 215 and At-Large Vice President of Mass. AFL-CIO. “No one should have to worry about their housing security when Washington fails to fund the federal government. We are grateful for Senator Edwards’ advocacy on behalf of federal workers, and for Governor Healey’s decision to extend relief to the maximum extent possible.” 

During the federal shutdown this fall, Governor Healey called on the Trump Administration to commit to back paying TSA agents and air traffic controllers, and demanded the administration release funds for programs like heating assistance and SNAP. When the Trump Administration laid off thousands of federal workers last year, Governor Healey launched a new website that provided employment and job training resources for federal workers. 

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