😬 Over 20 days into the U.S. government shutdown, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has started sending most of its crew on unpaid leave!
On Monday, about 1,400 federal employees at the NNSA got the dreaded furlough notice, while roughly 400 are still clocking in to keep the ⚛️ nuclear stockpile safe. These workers design, build, service, and secure the nation's arsenal of 5,177 warheads (1,770 deployed).
Sites like Pantex in Texas and Y-12 in Tennessee—where nuclear weapons come together—are feeling the impact first. With 60,000 contractors under its wing, the NNSA plays a huge behind-the-scenes role in national security.
This shutdown, now the longest ever at 20 days, is more than just empty offices. It's a blow to defense readiness and a high-stakes chess game in Washington's political drama.
President Donald Trump has been turning up the pressure, urging Democrats to "get back to work" on reopening the government. He even joked about hoping they'd "become much less deranged." Over at CNBC, Kevin Hassett, White House economic guru, hinted the shutdown might end "sometime this week"—but warned tougher measures could follow if it drags on.
For now, these nuclear workers are stuck in limbo—like paused players in a video game, waiting for the next level to load. 🎮 Will Congress hit "play" soon? Stay tuned!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
