News Summary
A federal government shutdown has commenced, impacting over 100,000 federal workers in Georgia. Essential employees must work without immediate pay, while many face furloughs. The shutdown threatens various programs, including the CDC and WIC services. Lawmakers address the urgency of funding, as families brace for potential economic consequences. The duration of the shutdown remains uncertain, with negotiations ongoing.
Atlanta – A federal government shutdown began just after midnight on Tuesday, marking the first occurrence of such an event since late 2018. The shutdown follows unsuccessful attempts in the Senate to pass a critical funding bill, with the final vote falling short at 55 to 45, failing to meet the necessary 60 votes.
The shutdown leaves thousands of Georgia families and workers in a state of uncertainty. In Georgia alone, approximately 81,000 civilian federal employees and over 65,000 active-duty military personnel are directly affected. Essential federal workers are still required to report for work despite not receiving immediate pay, while many non-essential employees face furloughs.
In terms of the immediate effects, military personnel, federal law enforcement, and air traffic controllers, including those working at Hartsfield-Jackson airport, are among the groups who will continue to work without pay during the shutdown. However, air travel may be impacted, as some Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers could choose to call out, causing potential delays at airports.
Additionally, the shutdown is expected to significantly affect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. Reports indicate that up to 60% of CDC employees may be furloughed, which could impact ongoing public health initiatives. Other programs that may face funding shortages include the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which supports over 220,000 Georgians, should the shutdown continue for prolonged periods.
While major benefits like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans’ disability payments, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will remain operational for the near future, concerns remain about additional programs that may not receive funding. Emory University officials noted that a short-term shutdown would have minimal immediate effects on their operations, but an extended shutdown could hinder research and healthcare funding. Similarly, Georgia Tech expressed that while they can manage a short-term impact, ongoing funding gaps would likely trigger necessary cost-cutting measures.
National parks in Georgia are expected to remain open during the shutdown, though the level of services and staffing will vary widely. The overall duration of the shutdown remains uncertain as negotiations continue in Washington, D.C. Lawmakers from Georgia, including Rep. Buddy Carter and Sen. Jon Ossoff, have made remarks addressing the current situation. Rep. Carter has announced his decision to forgo his pay until an agreement is reached, while Sen. Ossoff has cautioned that health insurance premium increases may affect millions of Americans without further legislative action.
The history of federal government shutdowns is significant, with over 20 recorded since 1976, affecting federal operations to varying degrees. While some shutdowns have lasted only hours, others have extended beyond a month; most commonly, they last from a few days to a couple of weeks. The current situation affects over 100,000 federal workers in Georgia, with many being eligible for unemployment insurance through the Georgia Department of Labor. Furloughed employees are classified as job-attached, meaning they do not need to search for new work for six weeks. Those who continue to work must report any gross earnings during the unemployment filing process, even if their pay is delayed.
As both political parties shift blame over the failed funding negotiations, thousands of households brace for the potential consequences of a drawn-out shutdown, with impacts expected to ripple through the economy in Georgia and beyond.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Wikipedia: Government Shutdown
- 11 Alive
- Google Search: Government Shutdown Impact
- AJC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Federal Government
- WJCL
- Google News: Federal Shutdown Georgia
- AJC Live Updates
- Google Scholar: Federal Shutdown Impacts
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
The represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.