As the U.S. government shutdown enters its fourth week, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has begun furloughing most of its federal workforce — a move without precedent in the agency’s 23-year history.
Majority of NNSA Staff Placed on Unpaid Leave
Approximately 1,400 employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration were issued unpaid furlough notices on Monday, according to CNN. The move leaves just 375 federal workers on duty to oversee the United States’ nuclear weapons stockpile — which consists of 5,177 warheads, including 1,770 deployed warheads, as reported by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
“Since its creation in 2000, NNSA has never before furloughed federal workers during funding lapses,” said Department of Energy spokesperson Ben Dietderich. “We are left with no choice this time. We’ve extended funding as long as we could.”
The NNSA is a critical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy, responsible for the design, production, maintenance, and security of America’s nuclear arsenal. It also oversees more than 60,000 contractors across multiple national security sites.
Shutdown Forces Nuclear Sites Into ‘Safe Shutdown Mode’
With the shutdown now the longest in U.S. history involving full federal closures, key nuclear facilities such as the Pantex Plant in Texas and Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee are entering “safe shutdown mode,” meaning most operations are paused and only essential personnel remain.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright was expected to address the situation during a scheduled visit to the Nevada National Security Site on Monday. The Department of Energy has not yet issued a public statement.
Political Stalemate Threatens National Security
The prolonged government shutdown is intensifying political tensions in Washington, as President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats remain locked in a funding standoff. Trump has pushed for broader cuts and applied pressure for a deal, while Senate Republicans have offered concessions, including a vote to extend healthcare subsidies for 24 million Americans — a key Democratic demand.
But House Speaker Mike Johnson remains firm, saying the House will not reopen until a broader funding resolution is reached. “Every day that the government is shut down, it is a danger to the American people,” Johnson told reporters, specifically referencing the national security risks posed by the NNSA furloughs.
He added that falling behind global adversaries in the nuclear arms race could pose a “very serious” threat to the United States’ role as “the last great superpower.”
Key Deadlines Approaching: Paychecks, Health Care, and Military Funding
Federal employees are set to miss an entire pay period for the first time this Thursday, with troop pay and military operations also hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, open enrollment for health insurance begins November 1, a date that Senate Democrats may use as leverage to force negotiations, arguing that inaction could lead to major health coverage losses in the coming years.
A new Senate bill aimed at ensuring pay for military members and federal workers is expected to be debated midweek, though its passage remains uncertain amid deep partisan divides.
