Nearly 111K GA Workers Could Be Affected By Fed Shutdown

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia labor officials say they are monitoring for potential local impact after talks of a possible federal shutdown emerged when Congress neglected to green light a new funding plan.

President Donald Trump was set to meet with Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries this week on the matter, but he has since canceled those plans due to the Democrats' "unserious and ridiculous demands," according to a post on his Truth Social platform published Tuesday.

A meeting with the Democrats would not be "productive," Trump said, expressing the Democratic Party is aiming to leverage $1 trillion in spending on expenses he said would continue free health care for undocumented immigrants and use taxpayer money to fund transgender surgery for minors.

Other measures he claims the Democrats are urging for are to permit men to play in women's sports and opening the border.

Trump said he would be wiling to meet with Democratic leaders "when you become realistic about the things that our Country stands for. DO THE RIGHT THING!"

Congress has failed to pass legislation to keep the government running after having deadlocked following rounds of voting late last week.

While the House approved a Republican proposal to keep the federal government funded into November, the measure failed in the Senate, where the rules can require a higher 60-vote threshold that means support is needed from Republicans and Democrats. A Democratic proposal that would have boosted health care funds also failed.

Democrats are working to protect health care programs. The Democratic proposal would extend enhanced health insurance subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, plus reverse Medicaid cuts that were included in Republicans’ big tax break and spending cut bill enacted earlier this year.

Republicans have said the Democrats’ demands to reverse the Medicaid changes are a nonstarter, but they have also said there is time to address the health insurance subsidy issue in the months ahead.

"With nearly 111,000 federal workers in Georgia, we are closely monitoring the potential for a federal government shutdown. We are here to support you and will share essential information should a shutdown occur. Stay tuned to our website and social media for updates," the Georgia Department of Labor said Monday in a statement.

Under a shutdown, anyone waiting for their Social Security or Medicare benefits to be verified may be affected, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Other impacts may hit national parks, the Internal Revenue Service, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Transportation Security Administration.

Congressional leaders have until midnight, Sept. 30, to come to an agreement on financing for Fiscal Year 2026 to avoid a shutdown and a funding lapse. The impending shutdown will occur on Oct. 1 if an agreement is not reached.

The Associated Press contributed reporting and writing.