On Monday, the Trump administration outlined its plans for which services will be halted if the federal government shuts down this week, with the US Health Department planning to furlough 41% of its staff. This shutdown is set to be distinct from previous ones due to the administration’s threat of mass firings of federal employees, hinting at using the funding lapse to downsize the government.
The Office of Personnel Management stated in a memo that, although training and onboarding of new federal employees are prohibited during a shutdown, those responsible for overseeing firings will continue their duties. Unlike past shutdowns, furloughed employees will be allowed to use government-issued devices to check for layoff notices via email, as per OPM.
Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, a leading Democrat on the Senate committee overseeing shutdown operations, expressed concern in a letter, stating, “This outrageous plan threatens long-term harm to the nation and the safety of Americans by mass firing nonpartisan, expert civil servants and potentially eliminating government agencies.”
The Department of Health and Human Services announced it will halt new admissions to clinical research studies and limit public health communications if the shutdown occurs.
The US Labor Department indicated it would delay economic data releases, including the anticipated September employment report.
Republicans, who control Congress, and the minority Democrats have yet to agree on a temporary funding bill to prevent a shutdown by Wednesday. Congressional leaders are scheduled to meet with Trump on Monday.
After the meeting, both parties blamed each other for potential failure to extend government funding past the Tuesday midnight deadline (0400 GMT Wednesday).
“I think we’re headed to a shutdown,” Vice President JD Vance remarked.
Democrats argue that any deadline extension must include continued health benefits, while Republicans insist on separating health and government funding issues.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer noted that there are “very large differences” between the two parties.
The White House has yet to comment.
Firing allowed, training prohibited
A 19th-century law dictates shutdown operations, prohibiting federal activities without Congressional funding, with exceptions for national security and protecting life and property. Key government benefits funded by mandatory spending, like Social Security and healthcare via Medicare and Medicaid, remain unaffected. Federal student loans and Pell grants continue as well. In past years, agency plans for shutdown responses were shared with Congress and the public weeks in advance, but this year, many were released just within the last 24 hours.
The Department of Labor stated that the Bureau of Labor Statistics “will suspend all operations” and that no economic data will be released during a funding lapse.
Some available plans mirror previous shutdown plans; however, staffing data reveals the impact of the Trump administration’s layoffs, firings, and early retirements. The Health and Human Services Department has about 12,000 fewer full-time employees compared to last year, and the Education Department is down by about 1,700 employees from 2024, according to the plans.
The Veterans Affairs department stated that benefits and medical care would continue during a shutdown, but cemetery maintenance would stop. The IRS will maintain full operations due to remaining supplemental funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, providing an unexpected advantage to the Trump administration despite Republican criticism of increased tax enforcement funding.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis announced it will pause economic data releases if the government shuts down, as per a statement released Monday afternoon.
