Government Shutdown Enters Day 12: Risk of Layoffs Expands
As the U.S. federal government shutdown enters its twelfth day, there are no signs of a political breakthrough. Vice President JD Vance warned in a Sunday TV interview that if Congress fails to agree on a budget soon, the government will have to consider larger-scale layoffs. He described the situation as "painful and unsustainable."
Currently, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are on unpaid leave, and some key positions have been temporarily reassigned. The Office of Management and Budget stated that if the shutdown continues, more than 4,000 federal employees could be laid off this week, affecting core departments such as education, finance, health, and the environment.
Public Services Paralyzed as Multiple Agencies Close
As government funds deplete, the operation of public institutions is grinding to a halt. The Smithsonian Institution, supported by federal funding, has announced the closure of all its museums, research centers, and the National Zoo this week. This move is seen as a symbolic event reflecting the shutdown's impact on public cultural institutions.
Simultaneously, the Departments of Education, Treasury, and Homeland Security have instructed employees to prepare for a "long-term shutdown." Environmental Protection Agency employees have been told that if no budget is passed, they will receive formal layoff notices within the week.
Union organizations are taking legal action. The American Federation of Government Employees has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the White House's budget office layoff plans, accusing it of violating federal employment law and undermining labor rights.
White House Emphasizes Prioritizing Military and Public Welfare
In response to criticism, Vice President Vance emphasized in a statement that the government is working to ensure military salaries are paid on time and that basic food assistance and social security programs are retained for low-income families. "We are prioritizing those most in need," he said, "but this maintenance is temporary unless Congress acts swiftly."
Sources close to the administration say the White House is considering using emergency funds to maintain minimum operations of defense and food programs. However, such measures, if prolonged, could increase the risk of fiscal deficits. Treasury officials have warned that if the shutdown exceeds three weeks, the U.S. credit rating could face further downgrades.
Bipartisan Negotiations Stalled as Political Blame Intensifies
The root cause of the shutdown remains the budget bill deadlock. Democrats demand the extension of healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans insist on resuming government operations before further negotiations. The parties are severely divided on the priority of fiscal expenditures.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Republicans on Sunday's program for "abusing political power," saying they should be accountable for the shutdown's consequences. In response, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of "ignoring the people's suffering" and focusing only on political maneuvering.
Political commentators note that the current situation is very similar to the 2019 government shutdown but with a broader impact. If Congress fails to reach an agreement this week, the U.S. economy could suffer a noticeable drag on fourth-quarter growth.
Public Confidence Shaken as Government Credibility Tested Again
As the shutdown prolongs, public dissatisfaction is escalating. The latest poll from the Pew Research Center shows nearly 70% of Americans believe Congress is "placing party interests above national interests," and public trust in the federal government has fallen to its lowest level in nearly a decade.
Analysts believe the shutdown is not only a budgetary dispute but also a manifestation of dysfunctional political systems. If both parties continue to blame each other without seeking compromise, the government's operational credibility and international image will suffer long-term damage.
The market generally expects that if there is no substantial progress this week, the White House may be forced to initiate partial office reopening through executive orders to prevent public safety and basic services from completely collapsing.
U.S. political analysts point out, "The shutdown itself is not terrifying, but the fact that the public is getting accustomed to this political chaos." This ongoing crisis sees Washington's standoff dragging the entire nation into deeper fiscal and trust challenges.
