Vice President JD Vance has issued a stark warning about the potential for more significant cuts to the federal workforce as the government shutdown drags on. Speaking during an appearance on Fox News, Vance emphasized that as the impasse in Congress entered its 12th day, the cuts would be “painful,” impacting hundreds of thousands of government employees who have already been furloughed without pay.
In response to the shutdown, the Office of Management and Budget recently indicated in a court filing that over 4,000 federal employees would face layoffs. This announcement came alongside the news that institutions such as the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo would temporarily close due to funding shortages.
Vance stated, “The longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be,” underscoring that the current situation is not one that the administration welcomes. While he acknowledged efforts to ensure military personnel would be compensated promptly and that essential services for low-income Americans, including food assistance, would be maintained, the overall outlook remains bleak for federal workers.
Labor unions have responded with legal action aiming to halt what they deem aggressive measures by the Trump administration, which they argue exceed the usual protocols associated with a government shutdown. Tensions between the ruling Republicans and the minority Democrats have escalated, particularly after the government ceased operations on October 1 due to a failure to reach an agreement on short-term funding. The Democrats are pushing for the inclusion of extended federal subsidies for health insurance within any funding bill, a demand that has become a significant point of contention.
Negotiations between the two parties have all but stalled, with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries criticizing the Republican “my-way-or-the-highway approach,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of disregarding the shutdown’s impact on American families.
Amidst the turmoil, progressive activists have rallied support for the Democrats’ position. Ezra Levin, co-founder of the progressive group Indivisible, expressed confidence in the party’s stance, highlighting divisions within the GOP and the growing threat of increased healthcare costs, which have been brought to the forefront by key Republican figures such as Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Despite the mounting pressure and calls for negotiations, Vance and his Republican colleagues appear steadfast in their commitment to pursue deeper cuts to the federal workforce. Officials from various departments, including Education, Treasury, and Health and Human Services, have indicated that layoff notices are forthcoming, intensifying the urgency of the situation.
However, Democrats argue that these layoffs are both unnecessary and unlawful. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona voiced his concerns, asserting that the administration has the option to prevent such drastic measures and should not be penalizing those caught in the crossfire of a political standoff. As the stalemate continues, the ramifications of the shutdown are becoming increasingly evident, leaving many workers and services in limbo.
