Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
SAM JACKSON
VERSUS
FRANK BISIGNANO, COMMISSIONER
OF SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION
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CIVIL ACTION NO. 25-1716
SECTION: “M”(1)
JUDGE BARRY W. ASHE
MAGISTRATE JUDGE
JANIS VAN MEERVELD
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ORDER
Before the Court is the Defendant’s Motion to Stay All Deadlines (Rec. Doc. 8) and Motion
to Expedite Same (Rec. Doc. 9). Defendant reports that pro se plaintiff Sam Jackson opposes the
Motion to Stay.
Mr. Jackson’s objection is noted for the record. However, the Court finds there is good
cause for a stay that could not be outweighed by any objection. Defendant the Social Security
Administration, an agency of the United States government, is represented by the Department of
Justice. Due to the lapse in appropriations to the Department (the so-called government shutdown),
Department of Justice attorneys 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. As a result, counsel for the Defendant cannot file
responsive pleadings. If the Defendant’s deadline to respond is not extended or stayed, a default
judgment in Mr. Jackson’s favor could result. Because the stay will be limited to the period of the
government shutdown, the Court finds it in the interest of justice to delay these proceedings until
Defendant is able to file responsive pleadings. Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that the Motion to Expedite (Rec. Doc. 9) is GRANTED.
Case 2:25-cv-01716-BWA Document 11 Filed 11/07/25 Page 1 of 2

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Motion to Stay (Rec. Doc. 8) is GRANTED and all
deadlines in this matter are hereby stayed until Department of Justice attorneys are permitted to
resume their usual civil litigation functions.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant will promptly move to lift the stay when
Congress has appropriated funds for the Department and the Court will set new deadlines at that
time.
New Orleans, Louisiana, this 7th day of November, 2025.
Janis van Meerveld
United States Magistrate Judge
Case 2:25-cv-01716-BWA Document 11 Filed 11/07/25 Page 2 of 2