Government shutdown halts federal prosecutors’ office in Middle Georgia
The government shutdown that started last week caused the federal prosecutors’ office in Middle Georgia to stop working on cases, according to federal court records.
All civil cases in Middle Georgia involving the United States, its federal agencies, officers and employees, as well as U.S. Attorneys and assistant U.S. attorneys, will be paused due to the “lapse of appropriations” that occurred Oct. 1 when the government shut down after Congress officials failed to agree on funding healthcare subsidies, according to federal court records from Monday.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Will Keyes, requested an administrative order to halt all civil cases, excluding civil immigration habeas matters, due to federal funding lapsing as a result of the shutdown.
Employees with the Department of Justice “are prohibited from working, even on a voluntary basis, except in very limited circumstances, including ‘emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property,’” Chief Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner said in her order.
All deadlines made in cases will be extended “for a period of time commensurate with the duration of the lapse in appropriations,” Gardner said.
It is unclear when funding will be restored by Congress.
This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 4:35 PM.
