ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Federal lawmakers have less than a week to strike a budget deal or short-term resolution, or risk a government shutdown.

The fast-approaching Oct. 1 deadline comes just one day after Congress is set to return from a recess, leaving glum prospects of reaching a deal before midnight.

As is typically the case, many federal workers, including the roughly 60,000 that live and work in metro Atlanta, will go without pay until lawmakers can decide on a budget bill or continuing resolution.

It’s become an annual ritual of down-to-the-wire negotiations, with federal workers’ pay on the line.

“Your natural reaction is how am I going to provide for my family, how am I going to meet my financial obligations,” said Antonio Gaines with the American Federation of Go

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