Where Washington Fails, Massachusetts Must Lead

By Senator Lydia Edwards, State Senator for the Third Suffolk District

Massachusetts is the first in just about everything – we are natural trailblazers. Most notably, we are the first state to stand up for our communities against the Trump administration. We are acting when no one else is, and paving the path for others to follow.

Massachusetts holds a unique advantage when it comes to protecting our residents from the harmful political tides in Washington, D.C. We are a state that consistently puts people first — safeguarding fundamental rights and expanding opportunity. The passage of the Shield Act 2.0 and the Affordable Homes Act in the past year are clear examples of our commitment to protecting our citizens. As the consequences of a second Trump presidency continue to unfold across the nation, the Massachusetts Legislature has an opportunity to lead once again — by advancing proactive laws that ensure access to housing, healthcare, fair compensation, and other essential rights for all residents.

As legislators, we have both the moral obligation and the legal capacity to protect our residents from the consequences of political uncertainty in Washington, D.C. Whether it’s protecting families from losing their homes during a federal shutdown or ensuring that every resident – no matter their status – has access to health care and justice, our state can lead by example. 

In response to the ongoing shutdown of the federal government, I filed an amendment to the Senate’s Supplemental Budget: the Federal Employee and Service Member Civil Relief Act. And it was unanimously passed by my Senate colleagues on Thursday, October 23rd. As both a State Senator and a member of the MA National Guard, I have seen firsthand the uncertainty and anxiety that shutdowns create for those who dedicate their lives to serving our nation.

This emergency law is designed to protect federal employees, service members and their families from evictions, foreclosures and financial hardships during a shutdown that has left many without pay. If enacted, this protection would be permanent, covering federal workers in all future federal government shutdowns.

Massachusetts is home to roughly 45,000 civilian federal employees and 17,000 members of the reserve component—National Guard and Reservists. While not all live in the Commonwealth, this legislation could protect up to 62,000 individuals from losing their homes in this period of instability.

Under current law, federal employees working without pay are not eligible for unemployment insurance, while those furloughed must repay any unemployment benefits once back pay arrives. Thousands of Massachusetts residents – including many in uniform – are caught in financial limbo no fault of their own. 

After a recent three-day drill weekend with colleagues who spoke candidly about the strain this shutdown places on them and their families, I felt compelled to act. Many of my fellow service members also serve full-time as federal employees. When one soldier confided his fear of missing a mortgage payment, I knew we needed stronger protections in place. No federal employee or service member should ever face eviction or foreclosure because of a political stalemate in Washington.

Beyond this urgent response, Massachusetts must also advance a series of proactive reforms to protect the rights and dignity of all who call this Commonwealth home – regardless of status.

To actively combat the consequential policies coming from Washington, Senate President Spilka has created a Response 2025 plan to include protecting rights that may be targeted by federal legislation. In my role as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, I have polled each of my colleagues to share their bills being heard in committee that could be useful in Response 2025. 

Passing S.1034, An Act relative to archaic laws (filed by Senator William Brownsberger) is the first step in enacting Response 2025. S.1034 seeks to repeal outdated and invasive laws that infringe upon personal privacy. The bill would eliminate statutes that still define acts such as sodomy and so-called “unnatural or lascivious” behavior as crimes—language that dates back to the 1800s—and remove discriminatory references like “common nightwalkers” from the General Laws. Passing S.1034 is a signal that Response 2025 has the potential to stack up protections for Massachusetts residents, safeguarding our communities from harmful tactics coming from our nation’s capital. 

As the State Senator and a proud resident of the Third Suffolk District, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with countless neighbors with diverse backgrounds around the community. 

Currently, my team and I are drafting legislation to expand eligibility for state health insurance programs to all residents, ensuring that no one is denied care because of their immigration status. Everyone should have the freedom to seek the resources they need without fear or discrimination. While Washington continues to spread fear and misinformation about our immigrant communities, Massachusetts must remain a leader in protecting and uplifting every resident.

Additional legislation also addresses the lack of accountability in supporting immigrants who are victims of violent crimes and human trafficking. Too often, agencies fail to follow through on promises to certify their cooperation in solving crimes or reporting violations of the law. Our legislation would require transparency and ensure that state and local authorities uphold their commitments so that justice is not only served, but fairly rewarded. 

Regardless of immigration status, every individual contributes to the fabric of our communities. Immigrants help power our local business, strengthen our economy, and make our neighborhoods vibrant. That’s why we are also working on measures to hold state and local employees accountable for sharing non-public information with ICE. Our communities have endured fear and uncertainty for far too long. Massachusetts will not bow to intimidation – we will stand firm in our values of safety, justice and dignity for all who call this Commonwealth home.

Massachusetts has the power of the people united. We must recognize our advantage and continue to take action to protect our own. This is just the beginning.

This column was published in The Provider's November 2025 issue.