The Republicans are willing to play hardball against the Democrats. The Trump administration is preparing to launch widespread layoffs of federal employees within days, escalating the already fraught standoff over the government shutdown, according to details from a confidential call with House Republicans.
Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told GOP lawmakers during a Wednesday discussion that “reductions in force”—the official term for firings—would begin “in a day or two,” four individuals familiar with the call said, speaking on condition of anonymity told Politico. The plan echoes warnings from both Vought and President Donald Trump that the administration would impose hardships designed to pressure Democrats into concessions.
On Capitol Hill, Senate Republicans are pressing Democrats to support a short-term funding bill, even as a bipartisan group of senators huddled privately on the Senate floor to explore off-ramps from the deadlock. Party leaders remain cautious about Trump’s vow to slash jobs and benefits, wary of political backlash in contested districts.
Vought also told members that funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is dwindling, threatening aid to low-income families, while the salaries of active-duty military personnel are at risk. If the shutdown continues, troops may miss their October 15 paycheck. Although lawmakers in both chambers are drafting bills to guarantee military pay, Republican leaders are holding those measures back to preserve leverage. For now, GOP leaders insist Democrats must first support their “clean” short-term extension to secure troop funding.
Infrastructure allocations targeted for New York—home to key Democratic leaders—are also under review, Vought said.
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Dems DONT care about Vets & Armed Forces alas.