President Trump meets with Congressional leadership on Jan. 2. Image via Wikipedia.

The city council passed a resolution on Jan. 22 urging President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress to immediately re-open the federal government. This is the longest partial shutdown of the federal government in history.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Council Member Jennifer Ide introduced a resolution calling for the re-opening, according to council materials. The resolution points out how the shutdown negatively the economy as a whole.

“The ongoing government shutdown has impacted lives across Atlanta and the Council District that I represent, District 6. From the airport to the CDC in my district, critical institutions of our city are operating at limited capacity,” Ide said in a statement. “As the Super Bowl approaches, Atlanta is being denied the opportunity to put its best foot forward as national attention focuses on the world’s most televised event.”

The shutdown is particularly problematic for Atlanta, who will be hosting the Super Bowl at the beginning of next month. Thousands of sports fans will be coming in through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, but the shutdown is causing major delays as Transportation Security Administration screeners are calling out sick due to lack of payment, according to numerous reports.

“This shutdown is hurting Atlanta residents, especially those who work for the federal government. And it creates a ripple effect that negatively impacts other residents and their families,” Council member Matt Westmoreland, who co-sponsored the resolution, said in a statement. “The safety of our citizens, and the hundreds of thousands of visitors coming for the Super Bowl, is paramount. This shutdown needs to end right now.”

The resolution states that the council is in favor of passing comprehensive immigration policy, but not if it means forcing federal employees to work without pay, according to council materials.

“Friday will be the second paycheck that government employees are missing. Just imagine not getting a paycheck and a month or two of not paying your mortgage, rent and bills,” Council President Felicia Moore said in a statement. “I just want to add my voice to the chorus and demand Washington get its act together, figure something out, get the government open and let’s get relief.”