() – Many federal workers are facing uncertainty with the ongoing government shutdown.
The CSRA is home to several federal operations, including Fort Gordon and Savannah River Site.
I spoke to Congressman Joe Wilson, who represents South Carolina’s Second Congressional District.
According to him, employees at the Savannah River Site should not experience the effects of the shutdown because this site has a unique funding schedule compared to other agencies that are affected.
However, military bases, including Fort Gordon, are heavily impacted.
“Sadly, immediately the military technicians are going to be furloughed,” he said. “Dental services and elective surgery will be delayed.”
He also mentioned that Department of Defense Schools will stay open, although extracurriculars and sports events will be postponed.
Congressman Wilson is also asking everyone to contact their federal lawmakers and urge them to come together to put an end to the shutdown.
As detailed on the U.S. Army website, Fort Gordon has a workforce of approximately 16,000 military personnel and 13,000 civilian staff. Workers classified as non-essential have been placed on furlough.
Dwight Rice, head of the local American Federation of Government Employees, which advocates for federal employees at Fort Gordon, voiced his worries about the shutdown.
“We’re talking about all the soldiers on base. We’re talking about all the civilians on base.
We’re talking about the Social Security Office,” he said.
“We’re looking at a significant number of people in the Augusta area employed by the government. The absence of their work will negatively impact the local economy,” he stated.
Rice also says he wants both Republicans and Democrats to stop blaming each other for the shutdown and come together to finalize a deal.
In Washington, DC, senators from both parties are continuing conversations on how to get out of the shutdown.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune commented on X, previously known as Twitter, saying, “As of now, three of my Democratic colleagues have joined Republicans in efforts to reopen the government.”
“If we can get just a few more Democrats to join us, we can end this shutdown and get back to bipartisan appropriations work and the business of the American people.”
Both Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock voted against the continuing resolution, while South Carolina Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott voted in favor of it.
In a news release, Sen. Warnock cited that he wanted the measure to fund healthcare programs after there were cuts that were made in the One Big Beautiful Act that was signed in July.
