As the federal government shutdown takes hold around the country, the effects are being hard felt in Georgia, with certain disruptions to the federal government expected to hit the state’s Black communities the hardest.
Black Americans are overrepresented in the federal jobforce, making up nearly 20 percent of workers. Federal jobs have historically offered Black Americans protection from private-sector discrimination, equal pay scales, and opportunities for career advancement. Public service opened the door to middle-class stability for many Black families.
Historically, non-essential federal workers are furloughed without pay. Essential employees, like air traffic controllers or law enforcement officers, must keep working, but also without pay until Congress reaches a deal.
Georgia state and municipal leaders are taking exception to the Trump Administration’s actions that essentially led to the government shutdown, and many are expressing their disappointment and outrage with scathing statements about the lack of vision and compassion in Washington.
Statement from Keisha Lance Bottoms on Federal Government Shutdown and Worker Firings
Keisha Lance Bottoms, candidate for governor, released the following statement after Republicans and Donald Trump shut down the government:
“Georgia is proud to have so many federal workers and service members who serve our nation and our communities every day. I stand with federal workers in Georgia who oppose Donald Trump’s dangerous threats to fire dedicated public servants during this shutdown. In Georgia alone, there are nearly 111,000 federal workers who now face furloughs or delayed pay. For many, this means weeks without a paycheck, even as they continue to perform essential duties.
“It is deeply disappointing that Donald Trump and Republicans chose to shut down the government in order to protect their reckless cuts to Americans’ health care. Congress should be taking action to lower costs – but their inaction on Affordable Care Act tax credits will raise health care premiums for hundreds of thousands of Georgians. Americans are sick and tired of these Washington games, and they’re looking for leaders to stand up and fight to lower health care costs and provide essential services. Georgians will feel the impact of this unnecessary shutdown – from airport security to public health to social safety nets and infrastructure.
“This is not fiscal responsibility. It’s chaos by design, and it deepens economic pain for the very people already struggling to make ends meet. Georgia deserves better.”
Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet sounds alarm as federal shutdown hits Atlanta
ATLANTA — Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet, vice chairperson of the City’s Transportation Committee, says Atlanta must brace for the impact of the federal government shutdown. The government closed after midnight when Congress failed to pass legislation to keep the government open for business.
“This shutdown is dangerous and deeply personal for Atlanta’s families,” said Councilmember Overstreet. “Paychecks could be delayed, critical services could be disrupted, and the ripple effects will be felt at kitchen tables in every neighborhood. We need Congress and President Trump to act immediately to restore funding and stability.”
Atlanta is home to major federal installations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in DeKalb County and multiple federal offices in Downtown’s Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, such as EPA Region 4 and the EEOC’s Atlanta District Office. These agencies anchor thousands of jobs and provide essential public-health, environmental, and civil-rights services to the Southeast.
“If the CDC is forced to furlough staff and curtail programs, public health preparedness suffers, and that puts our communities at risk,” Overstreet said. “Likewise, reduced operations at EPA Region 4 and EEOC could mean slower environmental enforcement and delayed civil-rights casework—real impacts that Atlantans would feel in their daily lives.”
“My office will work hand-in-hand with our City departments and regional partners to help residents navigate this crisis—connecting impacted workers and families to food assistance, financial counseling, small-business resources, and mental-health supports,”
“Our message to every federal worker, contractor, and family affected is simple: you are not alone. We will do our part locally while urging Congress and President Trump to end this shutdown now,” Overstreet said
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