Vice President JD Vance on Sunday stated that the federal workforce would face deeper cuts as the government shutdown progresses, which has already resulted in hundreds of thousands of furloughs without pay. This warning came as the shutdown entered its 12th day, showcasing a lack of resolution in Congress.
Vance described the upcoming cuts as painful, despite efforts from the Trump administration to ensure military pay remains intact and services for low-income Americans, including food assistance, are preserved.
The ongoing situation has prompted the Office of Management and Budget to reveal in a court filing that more than 4,000 federal employees are facing impending terminations due to the shutdown.
As he spoke on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, Vance reiterated the following: The longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be. This is not something we relish, but the Democrats have dealt us a difficult hand.
A lawsuit has been initiated by labor unions in response to the aggressive measures taken by the Trump administration, leading to increasing tensions between the Republican majority and the Democratic minority within Congress.
The shutdown commenced on October 1, following a failure by Democrats to approve a short-term funding extension that included federal subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, thus leading to potential cost increases for millions due to the expiration of these subsidies by the year's end.
Presently, the chances for negotiations appear bleak, as House leaders from both parties exchange blame. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized their willingness to negotiate, while House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of opting for a partisan conflict.
Individuals such as Ezra Levin, a progressive activist, pointed out fissures within the Republican ranks, suggesting that the GOP is taking the brunt of the blame for the shutdown and its associated consequences.
Ultimately, Vance reiterated that the Administration intends to move forward with potential layoffs across several federal agencies, causing anxiety among numerous employees amid allegations from Democrats claiming the firings to be illegal and unnecessary.
