Vice President JD Vance on Sunday warned of deeper cuts to the federal workforce as the government shutdown extends, adding to the uncertainty for hundreds of thousands left furloughed without pay amid the ongoing deadlock in Congress.
As the shutdown reaches its 12th day, Vance emphasized that new cuts would be painful, though he mentioned efforts by the Trump administration to ensure that military personnel receive their pay this week and that some services for low-income Americans, such as food assistance, would continue.
However, numerous federal workers have already been furloughed, and a court filing from the Office of Management and Budget indicated that over 4,000 federal employees could soon be dismissed in connection with the shutdown.
The longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be, Vance stated during an appearance on Fox News’ 'Sunday Morning Futures.' He pointed fingers at the Democrats, claiming they have made negotiations difficult.
Labor unions have expressed their discontent, filing lawsuits against the Trump administration's aggressive budget cuts which they argue exceed the norms of a government shutdown, further escalating the conflict between Republicans controlling Congress and the Democratic minority.
The shutdown, which began on October 1st, was triggered after a short-term funding bill failed to pass amidst demands from Democrats for an extension of health subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Current negotiations seem nonexistent, with House leaders from both parties laying blame on each other during media appearances.
While Republicans claim a willingness to negotiate on health subsidies, they insist that the government must reopen first. Democrats have expressed frustration, highlighting the consequences of their opponents' decisions on the health and livelihoods of the American people.
With thousands of employees facing job insecurity across various departments, including Education and Health and Human Services, the impacts of the shutdown are becoming increasingly severe. Democrats argue that the planned firings project a harmful narrative and are unnecessary, escalating tensions further.
