Nuclear security agency begins furloughing workers as part of shutdown, energy secretary says

"The federal agency tasked with overseeing the U.S. nuclear stockpile has begun furloughing employees as part of the ongoing federal government shutdown, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Monday. In a visit to Nevada, Wright said the National Nuclear Security Administration is furloughing 1,400 federal workers as part of the shutdown, which began Oct. 1. Nearly 400 federal workers will remain on the job, along with thousands of NNSA contractors, the Energy Department said."

"Tough day today, Wright said in Las Vegas before a scheduled visit to the Nevada National Security Site in Mercury, Nevada. We're working hard to protect everyone's jobs and keep our national stockpile secure, Wright said. The furloughs do not pose an immediate threat to national security, Wright said, adding: We have emergency employees and the current nuclear stockpile is safe."

The National Nuclear Security Administration is furloughing 1,400 federal workers because of the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1. Nearly 400 federal workers will remain on the job, along with thousands of NNSA contractors, to maintain operations and secure nuclear materials. Emergency employees remain in place and the current nuclear stockpile is being maintained without immediate threat to national security. The furloughs will disrupt employee income, delay testing of commercial reactors including small modular reactors, and affect families. Hundreds of NNSA employees were previously fired earlier this year and later reinstated amid concerns that personnel changes could jeopardize national security.

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