The White House has told its agencies to prepare for mass firings if Congress does not avert a government shutdown next week, according to a memo obtained by US media
In the memo, the Office of Budget and Management directs federal agencies to begin drafting “reduction in force” plans for programmes whose funding will lapse if Congress fails to meet a 30 September budget deadline.
The warning came after Trump on Tuesday refused a meeting with Democrats who are seeking to secure healthcare funding as part of budget negotiations.
“We remain hopeful that Democrats in Congress will not trigger a shutdown and the steps outlined above will not be necessary,” the memo states.
The budget office memo warns of permanent firings specifically for federal programmes, projects and activities that have no alternative funding sources and are “not consistent with the President’s priorities”.
Many federal government agencies rely on annual funding approved by Congress. Every year, these agencies submit their requests, which Congress must pass, and the president must sign budget legislation for the next fiscal year.
A shutdown takes place if an agreement is not reached by the start of the fiscal year on 1 October, meaning all non-essential discretionary functions stop.
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