Press Release: 10/21/2025

News: After Letter From Pressley, National Grid Announces Support for Mass. Households Impacted by Government Shutdown

 



New Resource Follows Pressley’s Calls for National Grid and Eversource to Stop Utility Shutoffs for Fed Workers & Contractors During GOP Gov. Shutdown



Due to Republican Shutdown, Tens of Thousands of Workers and Contractors in Massachusetts are Missing Wages and May be Unable to Pay Utility Bills



BOSTON – Following a letter from Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), National Grid of Massachusetts has announced specific support and a payment plan opportunity for federal employees, contractors, and active military personnel in Massachusetts who are impacted by the government shutdown and concerned about paying their energy bill. The hotline, 1-800-322-3223, follows Congresswoman Pressley’s calls for National Grid and Eversource to issue an immediate moratorium on utility shutoffs for households impacted by the government shutdown, including federal workers, federal contractors, and the people who depend on them.




“Our dedicated federal workers, contractors, and their families are being harmed daily by Trump and Republicans’ government shutdown and cruel political games—and they need all the help they can get,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “While we work relentlessly to end this Republican-manufactured shutdown, this new payment plan option is an important resource for Massachusetts families and those in need of assistance should call the hotline without delay. I call on Eversource to follow suit and I continue to urge both utility companies to make sure the electricity and heat stay on for families across the Commonwealth.”




The Congresswoman’s letters come as the Republican-manufactured government shutdown has caused the more than 45,000 dedicated federal workers in the Commonwealth—most of whom reside in the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District—to miss paychecks and be left without the ability to pay their utility bills. The Congresswoman’s letters also follow Governor Maura Healey’s first-of-its kind, comprehensive review of gas and electric rates and charges to identify ways to lower customer costs.



In her letters, Congresswoman Pressley called on Eversource and National Grid to continue all utility services and offer a payment deferral program to households impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. She emphasized that such a program should not require a down payment, nor should it carry interest or fees, to fully mitigate the financial burden.



A copy of the letter sent to National Grid is available here, and to Eversource is available here.



Amid the Republican-manufactured government shutdown, Rep. Pressley has continued to fight to defend healthcare, reopen the government, and protect federal workers and the essential services they provide.




  • Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning Republicans after they chose to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to protect families and save healthcare for millions.

  • Just days into the government shutdown, Rep. Pressley held an emergency convening in Boston to highlight the harm of the shutdown to MA-07 constituents – federal workers, patients, advocates, and more.

  • Amid government shutdown, Rep. Pressley and Senator Tina Smith reintroduced bill to provide back pay for federal contract workers, including low-wage food service and janitorial staff.

  • Just hours before the Republicans shut down the government, Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates, colleagues, and impacted folks to demand Republicans protect healthcare and keep the government open

  • Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with workers and families who would be impacted by the government shutdown.

  • Rep. Pressley also joined an all-day event with House Democrats to hold the line against Trump and Republicans’ efforts to rip away healthcare from millions of Americans.