The United States government shutdown has forced the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to furlough most of its federal workforce, marking the first time in history the agency responsible for safeguarding America’s nuclear arsenal has been hit by such measures.
With the shutdown entering its fourth week, about 1,400 NNSA employees were placed on unpaid leave as of October 20, leaving fewer than 400 staff on duty to maintain essential safety and security functions. A Department of Energy spokesperson said those remaining would focus on “the protection of property and the safety of human life.”
The NNSA oversees the design, maintenance, and security of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, which includes 5,177 warheads, with around 1,770 deployed. It also manages 60,000 contractors across facilities nationwide. The furloughs are expected to hit critical sites such as the Pantex Plant in Texas and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee, both central to nuclear weapons assembly and maintenance.
The shutdown, now at 20 days, is the longest full government closure in US history. The impasse stems from a standoff between President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats. Trump has demanded that Democrats support a funding resolution without conditions, while Democrats insist on renewing expiring health care subsidies for 24 million Americans as part of any deal.
At the White House, Trump escalated pressure on Democrats, saying he expected them to “become much less deranged” and agree to reopen the government. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, predicted the shutdown could end within the week but warned that “stronger measures” might be taken if negotiations stalled further.
The furlough of nuclear security staff has raised alarm among experts, who warn that prolonged disruption could undermine oversight of the arsenal and delay modernization projects. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has described the move as unprecedented, underscoring the seriousness of the funding crisis.
Senate Republicans have offered a vote on renewing health care subsidies, but Democrats argue that any agreement is meaningless without explicit approval from Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. With neither side backing down, the standoff threatens to drag on, leaving critical national security operations under strain.
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