Senator Jon Ossoff’s refusal to end the government shutdown has left Georgia’s airports in chaos, federal workers unpaid, and military families in distress—all while Democrats demand billions for health care subsidies that would benefit illegal immigrants.

Shutdown Fallout in Georgia

The federal government shutdown, now in its second week, has hit Georgia harder than most states due to its large federal workforce and the critical role of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest in the world. Over 110,000 Georgia federal employees—including TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and military families—are going without paychecks, while travelers face increasing delays and cancellations as essential staff are stretched thin. The human toll is real: families are struggling to make ends meet, and the state’s aviation sector is under unprecedented strain.

Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican challenger for Ossoff’s Senate seat, has seized on the crisis with a hard-hitting digital ad campaign. Collins accuses Ossoff of prioritizing “free healthcare for illegal immigrants” over reopening the government, a charge that resonates with conservatives frustrated by years of unchecked immigration and fiscal mismanagement. The ad highlights the direct consequences of the shutdown on Georgia’s workers and travelers, framing Ossoff’s stance as out of touch with the needs of everyday Americans.

Political Blame Game Intensifies

The core dispute centers on whether to extend Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies in any spending bill. House Republicans passed a short-term funding extension without the subsidies, but Senate Democrats—including Ossoff—have repeatedly voted against it, demanding the subsidies be included. Ossoff’s campaign has pushed back, accusing Collins of using the shutdown to distract from other issues and criticizing House Republicans for their absence from Washington during the crisis. Meanwhile, some Democrats and independents have broken ranks, voting with Republicans to end the stalemate, but the Senate majority has held firm.

Collins has taken his message directly to Ossoff’s constituents, appearing at the senator’s Atlanta office to deliver a symbolic “pink slip” and amplify his criticism. “Crucial air traffic controllers are working without pay, travelers are facing delays, and government workers face uncertainty because Ossoff and Schumer are playing political games with our government,” Collins said in a statement. The messaging is clear: Georgia’s pain is a direct result of Democratic intransigence and misplaced priorities.

Economic and Electoral Consequences

The immediate impact of the shutdown is severe. Atlanta’s airport, a linchpin of the Southeast’s economy, is experiencing significant operational disruptions, with experts warning that unpaid staff could compromise safety and efficiency. The economic ripple effects are being felt across the state, from small businesses that depend on airport traffic to families struggling with missed paychecks. If the ACA subsidies expire, over a million Georgians could face higher health insurance premiums—a potential long-term consequence that adds urgency to the debate.

Politically, the shutdown has become a defining issue in the lead-up to the 2026 Senate race. Collins and other Republicans are framing Ossoff as responsible for the disruption, while Ossoff is betting that voters will blame Republicans for refusing to extend health care subsidies. The outcome could hinge on whether Georgians see the shutdown as a failure of leadership or a necessary stand against fiscal irresponsibility and government overreach.

Georgia’s Mike Collins needles Ossoff in new ad over shutdown’s toll on airports, workers https://t.co/vSlue3dK20

— Deenie (@deenie7940) October 10, 2025

As the shutdown drags on, the pressure on both parties grows. Federal workers and their families are caught in the middle, with no clear end in sight. The only certainty is that the political stakes have never been higher—for Georgia, for Congress, and for the future of responsible governance in America.

Sources:

Georgia’s Mike Collins needles Ossoff in new ad over shutdown’s toll on airports, workers

Republicans see shutdown fight as a test for Ossoff’s 2026 playbook

Georgia Mike Collins needles Ossoff in new ad over shutdown’s toll on airports, workers

Ossoff’s official Senate website