Report: White House plans to permanently reduce federal workforce during shutdown
The federal government appears to be headed towards a shutdown next week as Democrats demand that Republicans accede to a collection of spending demands.
The White House is warning that should the shutdown take place, then a round of mass firings will rock D.C.
Memo: Some government employees will not return following shutdown
That's according to The Hill, which pointed to a recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo first obtained by Politico.
The document states that federal agencies must "use this opportunity to consider reduction in force (RIF) notices for all employees in programs, projects, or activities" if three conditions are met.
What's more, agencies are to only retain the "minimal number" of staff members required to function once any shutdown concludes.
Memo slams Democrats for "insane demands"
This would amount to some federal employees permanently losing their jobs after their shutdown-induced furlough comes to an end.
The OMB memo also takes Capitol Hill Democrats to task for "signaling that they intend to break this bipartisan trend and shut down the government in the coming days over a series of insane demands, including $1 trillion in new spending."
"The Administration supports Senate passage of H.R. 5371, but congressional Democrats are currently blocking this clean CR due to their partisan demands," the memo explains.
"As such, it has never been more important for the Administration to be prepared for a shutdown if the Democrats choose to pursue one," it goes on to add.
Mike Johnson recalls Democrats how previously opposed shutdowns
Meanwhile, Fox News reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) released a memo of his own in which he cited comments that Democrats have made in the past about the dangers of government shutdowns.
"House Republicans acted responsibly last week to keep the government open with the clean short-term continuing resolution," Johnson declared.
"Senate Democrats, who used to warn that shutdowns would hurt seniors, veterans, and working families, are now threatening to force one unless Congress repeals the Working Families Tax Cut, restores taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens, and sends half a billion dollars to leftist news outlets, among other partisan spending demands," he recalled.
The House speaker further noted how then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer cautioned on September 16, 2024, that "[i]f the government shuts down, it will be average Americans who suffer most."
