U.S. NNSA Faces Looming Shutdown, Wright Warns
(MENAFN) US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has issued a stark warning that the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) could soon run out of funds to monitor the nation’s nuclear arsenal, with operations potentially halting in just eight days due to the ongoing government shutdown. Wright emphasized that once the funding runs dry, essential operations will be suspended.
The federal government has ground to a halt for the first time in nearly seven years after a deadlock in the Senate between Republicans and Democrats over the passage of a spending bill.
On Friday, both a Republican-backed proposal and a Democratic alternative failed to secure the necessary votes in the Senate, with each party pointing fingers at the other over the impasse. Lawmakers are expected to revisit negotiations on October 6.
“Eight more days of funding, and then we have to go into some emergency shutdown procedures, putting our country at risk,” Wright told media on Thursday, referring specifically to the NNSA’s operations.
Wright also highlighted that over 20 officials within his department are still awaiting Senate confirmation. He accused Democrats of delaying the process and prolonging the shutdown by withholding critical votes.
Before the cuts this year, the NNSA employed more than 65,000 personnel, including both federal workers and contractors, tasked with maintaining the US nuclear stockpile, promoting non-proliferation, and overseeing the Navy’s nuclear operations.
In its latest contingency plan, the US Department of Energy outlined that NNSA personnel essential to "critical control operations systems" and nuclear non-proliferation efforts would remain active. However, the department did not specify how many employees would remain on duty.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has indicated that he may use the shutdown as leverage to enact significant cuts to staff and wages, accusing Democrats of obstructing progress on the budget. The White House is also reportedly using the impasse as an opportunity to target programs that Republicans oppose.
As the shutdown continues, federal agencies have partially suspended services, with many employees furloughed. The most recent shutdown, which began on December 22, 2018, lasted 35 days.
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