Politics
Politics

How did the government shutdown happen?

The ‘Politically Georgia’ team discusses the implications of the federal government shutdown for Georgians.
The Capitol at sunrise in Washington, Oct. 1, 2025. The government shut down on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m., amid a bitter spending deadlock between Republicans and Democrats in Congress. (Alex Kent/The New York Times)

Credit: NYT

Credit: NYT

The Capitol at sunrise in Washington, Oct. 1, 2025. The government shut down on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m., amid a bitter spending deadlock between Republicans and Democrats in Congress. (Alex Kent/The New York Times)
By
Oct 2, 2025

At 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, after failed negotiations in the Senate, the U.S. government shut down.

Now, many services are at a standstill. Georgians could face longer lines at the airport and potentially extended wait times to renew passports, reach the IRS or sign up for veterans benefits.

On Thursday’s episode of the “Politically Georgia” podcast, Atlanta Journal-Constitution journalists Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell discuss how this shutdown could affect Georgians and if there could be implications for the Georgia’s congressional delegation in the 2026 midterm elections.

Later in the show, Mitchell recounts the highlights from last week’s Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour “Politically Georgia” podcast hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions to PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play ‘Politically Georgia’ podcast.”

About the Author

Natalie Mendenhall produces the "Politically Georgia" podcast. She also steps in front of the mic, creating compelling segments for the show. Before joining the AJC, the Chicago native worked as a senior producer at Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Follow Natalie Mendenhall on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jason Esteves (left) greets furloughed CDC employee and AFGE Local 2883 union president Yolanda Jacobs before a roundtable with furloughed CDC employees at Manuel’s Tavern in Atlanta on Friday, October 3, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Georgia politicians court midterm voters amid shutdown blame game

The federal government shutdown is the focus of both Republicans and Democrats, with obvious disagreement over who's to blame.

2h ago

State agencies seek more than $1 billion in new spending

State agencies have asked for more than $1 billion in new funding next year amid uncertainty over the toll federal spending cuts will take on Georgia’s budget.

Activists want GOP lawmakers to make more changes to Georgia elections

A Georgia elections study committee has become a forum for advocates on the right and left to seek major changes to voting laws ahead of a heated election year in 2026.

The Latest

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jason Esteves (left) greets furloughed CDC employee and AFGE Local 2883 union president Yolanda Jacobs before a roundtable with furloughed CDC employees at Manuel’s Tavern in Atlanta on Friday, October 3, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Georgia politicians court midterm voters amid shutdown blame game

2h ago

Judge sets 14-day deadline to name new prosecutor in Fulton Trump case

Senate panel says Fani Willis will testify in November

Featured

The trio behind the popular "Gold Dome Report," (left to right) George Ray, Helen Sloat and Stan Jones, left Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough this week and opened their own firm, Gold Dome Partners. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Popular politics trio leave Nelson Mullins to launch ‘Gold Dome’ firm

A trio of pioneering Atlanta lobbyists has left Nelson Mullins after a combined 74 years to launch their own government relations boutique.

Worsening drought poses ‘extreme’ fire danger, Georgia officials warn

Large portions of Georgia are at risk of turning into a tinderbox as blustery winds blow through areas that haven’t seen significant rain in more than a month, officials warn.

Family of man killed by Georgia state trooper gets $6.6M in record deal

Andrew “A.J.” Smyrna, a 32-year-old father of two, was killed Jan. 23, 2020, when a trooper opened fire on the convertible he was driving in Atlanta’s Edgewood neighborhood.