Government Shutdown Day 15: White House Predicts More Than 10,000 Job Cuts
Key Takeaways
- A federal judge paused planned layoffs of over 10,000 federal workers for at least two weeks amid the government shutdown.
- Budget Director Russ Vought confirmed the administration's intent to aggressively cut bureaucracy, including plans to close the CFPB.
- The shutdown has lasted thirteen days, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warning of a $15 billion daily cost to federal output.
- A Republican-backed Senate bill to reopen the government failed to pass due to the 60-vote filibuster requirement.
- The shutdown is nearing record length, with prediction markets forecasting it could exceed the 35-day record set in 2019.
The ongoing government shutdown, now in its thirteenth day, has led to threats of permanent workforce reductions, with budget director Russ Vought stating the administration intends to cut over 10,000 federal workers and close the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This aggressive stance against bureaucracy was immediately met with a legal challenge, resulting in a federal judge issuing a restraining order that blocks the layoffs for at least two weeks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted the severe economic impact, estimating a daily loss of $15 billion in output and pressuring Democrats to negotiate a reopening. Legislative efforts have stalled, as a Republican-backed Senate bill failed to overcome the filibuster threshold, despite some bipartisan votes. Furthermore, the shutdown is approaching record length, with prediction markets suggesting it could surpass the 2019 record, even as initial consumer sentiment surveys show little immediate impact from the impasse.
