NNSA furloughs 1,400 workers amid US government shutdown

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), responsible for managing and modernizing the United States' nuclear weapons stockpile, is furloughing about 1,400 of its approximately 1,800 employees due to the ongoing government shutdown. This marks the first time the NNSA has furloughed federal workers during a funding lapse, leaving fewer than 400 personnel to oversee critical functions. The shutdown threatens to halt essential programs such as weapons maintenance, modernization, and the secure transportation of nuclear materials, with contractors potentially running out of funds by late October, leading to a freeze on nuclear weapons delivery to the Department of Defense. Although officials, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, assert there is no immediate national security threat, concerns are rising over longer-term impacts and the time needed to restart operations. Congressional leaders and agency officials emphasize the importance of these workers to national security and criticize the political deadlock prolonging the shutdown. The situation underscores the broader consequences of the government shutdown on critical defense infrastructure and workforce retention.