The White House is preparing for more layoffs, or “Reductions in Force,” as President Trump pushes Democrats to sign the GOP’s continuing resolution to end the government shutdown.
OMB is getting ready to weather the storm caused by Democrats’ refusal to compromise. “Pay the troops, pay law enforcement, continue the RIFs, and wait,” the White House Office of Management and Budget tweeted.
Shutdown-related layoffs began last Friday, with Republicans calling them ‘financially prudent’ and blaming Democrats for the situation. Trump vowed to only cut “Democrat programs” as a response to the stalemate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson believes the shutdown could become the longest in history, refusing to negotiate with Democrats until they drop their health care demands.
The ongoing shutdown has impacted routine government operations, leading to closures of Smithsonian museums and delays in American air travel due to shortages of air traffic controllers.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the shutdown is starting to harm the U.S. economy. The Senate GOP needs 60 votes on its resolution to reopen the government, but Democrats are insisting on extending certain health care subsidies.
Some Democrats, including Sen. John Fetterman, have criticized their party’s handling of the shutdown, urging for a resolution to reopen the government first before discussing other issues.
This shutdown is reminiscent of previous government shutdowns tied to health care policy, such as the 16-day shutdown in 2013 during the attempted repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The longest shutdown in history occurred in 2019 over funding for a border wall, ending after 35 days.