ATLANTA — As the fight continues in Washington D.C. over the longest shutdown in U.S. history, Atlanta could be hit incredibly hard next week.
Thousands of football fans are expected to fly in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in the days before Super Bowl Sunday, and nearly all of them are expected to fly out on the next day. "Mass Exodus Monday" could spell disaster for Atlanta if the government shutdown continues.
TSA agents are still on the job without pay, even as the rate of calls out increases. Some have even suggested a mass "sickout" by agents the day after the Super Bowl as a way to force Congress act to strike a deal.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms admits she's worried about what might happen.
"We are getting support from the TSA. They've flown in additional agents into Atlanta, but we are extremely concerned," said Bottoms, who was speaking at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in D.C.
Bottoms is working to allow the city to give credit union loans to TSA workers at the world's busiest airport during the shutdown. A similar plan is being used in San Jose, California.
"Thanks to the mayors who are being so innovative in giving us ideas so we can step in and give loans to our TSA agents so we can keep our airport open," Bottoms said.
Back in D.C. the Senate is expected to vote Thursday on two measures to re-open the government.
One is the President's plan to reopen the government while providing $5.7 billion in border wall funding. The other is a Democratic proposal to reopen the government with no funding for the wall. The Democratic plan would keep the government open until Feb. 8, nearly a week after the Super Bowl.
Neither measure is expected to pass.
However, it will be telling to see the votes from Georgia's two Senators. 11Alive reached out to each Sen. Isakson and Perdue's offices to ask how they plan to vote on either proposal. Both have been vocal supporters of the President's plan. However, neither will commit for or against the Democrat's plan.