On the morning of Thursday, Oct. 2, the silence outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was palpable. Following the federal government shutdown that began at midnight on Oct. 1, foot and car traffic had dramatically decreased, with the CDC furloughing approximately 8,700 employees as a direct consequence.
This governmental closure marks the first shutdown in six years, following the historic 2018-2019 shutdown that set a record. Disputes regarding funding between the Democratic and Republican parties typically fuel such shutdowns. This particular standoff began in early September, as the fiscal year neared its end and disagreements over government spending escalated, particularly concerning health care financial allocations.
Democrats advocated for the inclusion of Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid protections within the stopgap funding. Conversely, Republicans were pushing for a “clean” funding bill devoid of any modifications to health care services. This impasse culminated in the current shutdown officially commencing on Oct. 1.
The implications of a government shutdown extend beyond political agendas, impacting many workers on a local level in Georgia, where over 110,000 residents are employed by the federal government. With many federal employees now facing furloughs, their families are left in financial limbo. Staci Fox, president of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, emphasized, “Certainly, we all have friends and family who know people who work for the federal government, including the CDC. If they’re furloughing half of the staff, that touches a lot of people in Atlanta.”
For households that depend on federal paychecks for daily needs, the lack of income during this uncertain shutdown represents a significant disadvantage. The current situation is exacerbated by the fact that many federal agencies, including the CDC, have already faced workforce reductions due to previous budget cuts. In August 2025, the CDC itself had to lay off over 600 employees.
Moreover, essential federal programs like WIC and SNAP are under considerable threat during this shutdown. In Georgia, more than 190,000 individuals rely on WIC, meaning families who depend on this funding for vital nutrition and baby formula are at risk. Additionally, over 1 million state residents benefit from some form of federal assistance through SNAP, which supports food provision for vulnerable populations. Fox noted, “This goes beyond someone losing a paycheck because they’ve been furloughed. This is a real economic security issue for families across the country, and certainly right here in Georgia when the government stops doing its job.”
Although SNAP and WIC have contingency funds, there are concerns that sustained shutdown could exhaust these resources, putting millions of families in jeopardy. As the day progressed on Oct. 2, the U.S. Senate had no votes scheduled, with the potential for a vote on Friday still undecided. Earlier that morning, President Donald Trump made a post on Truth Social, indicating plans to meet with the Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought.
As the shutdown continues with no resolution in sight, the effects on Georgia’s residents and services are becoming increasingly evident and troubling.
image source from：theatlantavoice
