The White House warned federal agencies to prepare for massive layoffs if a government shutdown occurs on October 1 due to the lack of agreement between Republicans and Democrats to approve a budget.
According to Politico, the White House Budget Office will send a statement tonight to agencies informing them that, in the event of a shutdown, employees working in programs they are not legally required to continue will be furloughed.
Plans permanent cuts in agencies
The document calls for the identification of programs that will run out of funds on October 1 and to begin designing staff reduction plans.
The White House expects these reductions to go beyond temporary furloughs, as has occurred on other occasions when a government shutdown has occurred.
And jobs that do not fit the priorities of the president, Donald Trump, be permanently eliminated.
Republican plan accelerates partial shutdown
The Republican Administration would be taking advantage of the situation to continue with its plan to cut public spending by killing thousands of federal jobs started early in the term by tycoon Elon Musk, then a Trump ally.
The United States is increasingly heading towards a partial government shutdown that would leave federal agencies without funds.
Last week the House of Representatives passed a temporary budget, submitted by Republicans, that sought to extend the operations of the Federal Government by seven weeks, until November 21.
However, the proposal did not get the Senate’s ‘yes’ vote.
Press for health in the budget
Although Republicans have a majority in both chambers, it is not enough to pass the budget, which needs the affirmative vote of 60 senators.
With the current numbers he would need the support of all Republicans and at least seven Democratic legislators.
Democrats are lobbying Republicans to protect health care earmarks, taking advantage of one of the few leverage measures they have by not controlling any of the federal branches.
Trump rejects meeting
Republicans for their part accuse them of wanting to shut down the government over “a series of absurd demands.”
Trump was to meet with the Democratic minority leaders in the House and Senate, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schummer, but decided not to meet in the end due to what he called unacceptable demands.
With information from EFE
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