With just four days to go before funding for the federal government expires, both Congressional Democrats and Republicans are warning of dire consequences should the deadline not be met.
Add into the mix a declaration from the White House that if a budget is not passed on time, thus leading to a government shutdown, large numbers of federal employees will be fired.
A memo released by the Office of Management and Budget is offering directions on federal agencies about how to enact “reduction in force” plans.
The memo further directs federal agencies to “use this opportunity to consider reduction in force notices for all employees in programs, projects, or activities.”
But the memo stipulates that such dismissals should only happen if discretionary funding comes to a halt because of the deadline being missed while another source of funding has not been secured, or if any budget priorities are passed that are not “consistent with the president’s policies.”
The memo has caused no little consternation in Washington because, unlike former budget shutdown standoffs when federal employees were put on a temporary furlough, the emphasis this time is on actual firings.
There are roughly 2.4 million federal civilian employees who could potentially lose their jobs should push come to shove. Due to pressure from President Trump and other factors, at least 300,000 workers have already agreed to leave by the end of this fiscal year.
In a statement, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer characterized the firing threat as “an attempt at intimidation.” Continued the New York Democrat: “This is nothing new and has nothing to do with funding the government.”
The Office of Management and Budget has already conducted one conference call with federal agencies to begin the planning process for a shutdown.
At issue is a so-far Congressional failure to agree on a plan for discretionary funding for the new fiscal year that amounts to around $1.8 trillion of the overall $7 trillion budget.
September 26, 2025
By Garry Boulard
Image courtesy of Pixabay
