The federal agency tasked with managing and modernizing America’s nuclear weapons is furloughing the majority of its workforce Monday as the government shutdown drags on, according to multiple reports. Roughly 1,400 employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) will be sent home, while fewer than 400 personnel will remain to oversee the nuclear stockpile, Department of Energy spokesperson Ben Dietdrich confirmed.
First furloughs in NNSA history
“Since its creation in 2000, NNSA has never before furloughed federal workers during funding lapses,” Dietderich said in a statement. “We are left with no choice at this time. We’ve extended funding as long as we could.”
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The unprecedented move underscores the growing reach of the federal shutdown, which has already impacted hundreds of thousands of federal employees and contractors nationwide.
Funding running out
Job market pulse
The U.S. is set to spend up to $1.5 trillion over three decades to modernize its nuclear stockpile, according to nuclear non-proliferation group Ploughshares.
The NNSA, which oversees the transportation, maintenance and modernization of America’s nuclear arsenal, is currently funded through Oct. 27. Officials say critical programs could grind to a halt within days.
“Whatever minimal work contractors are able to continue to do as far as building weapons, enriching special nuclear materiel, stockpile surveillance, that will stop when the contractors run out of money,” a source told CNN. “The earliest we could see that happen is around Oct. 28.”
The agency would then be unable to deliver nuclear weapons to the Pentagon, as “everything would be locked up,” according to CNN’s source.
National security concerns
While the Trump administration says there is no immediate threat to national security, frustration within the agency is growing amid fear of longer-term consequences.
Restarting operations could take significant time, delaying modernization projects and critical maintenance work on aging weapons systems.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to address the shutdown’s impact on U.S. nuclear programs on Monday during a visit to the Nevada National Security Site.
