IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
IN RE:
STAY OF CIVIL PROCEEDINGS IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA Administrative Order No. 2025-01
IN LIGHT OF LAPSE OF
APPROPRIATIONS
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER STAYING CIVIL PROCEEDINGS IN LIGHT OF
LAPSE OF APPROPRIATIONS
1. At midnight on October 1, 2025, federal funding for certain functions of the
United States of America, including the Department of Justice, lapsed. The same is true
for most Executive agencies.
2. Since that time, no appropriation bill or continuing resolution has been
passed that would restore funding to the Department or other federal agencies that have
experienced a lapse in appropriations. The Department does not know when funding will
be restored by Congress.
3. Absent an appropriation, Department of Justice attorneys and employees
of federal agencies 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.” 31 U.S.C. § 1342.
4. The United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, on behalf of
the United States, its federal agencies, and its officers and employees, has requested an
administrative order staying all civil cases (excluding civil immigration habeas matters)
in which the United States, its federal agencies, and its officers and employees are named
parties or in which the United States Attorney or any Assistant United States Attorney is
counsel of record based on the current lapse in appropriations.
5. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that any and all civil cases (excluding civil
immigration habeas matters) pending in the District Court for the Middle District of
Georgia in which the United States, any of its federal agencies, or any of its officers
and/or employees is a named party, including any such matter pending before a
Magistrate Judge, is HEREBY STAYED until Congress has restored appropriations to the
Department of Justice and the subject client agency or agencies, or enacted another
continuing resolution, restoring funds to the Department and the subject client agency or
agencies.
6. It is FURTHER ORDERED that the United States Attorney’s Office shall
notify the Court as soon as Congress has appropriated funds for the Department of Justice
and the subject client agency or agencies or enacted another continuing resolution
restoring funds to the Department and the subject client agency or agencies.
7. It is FURTHER ORDERED that at the point that Congress has appropriated
funds for the Department and the subject client agency or agencies, or enacted another
continuing resolution, restoring funds to the Department and the subject client agency or
agencies, all deadlines in place as of the date of this Order shall automatically be extended
for a period of time commensurate with the duration of the lapse in appropriations
without further order of the Court.
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6th
SO ORDERED this ______ day of October, 2025.
___________________________
LESLIE ABRAMS GARDNER
CHIEF JUDGE
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