Why some federal workers aren't scared by the threat of shutdown layoffs

"As a federal worker, I am here to tell you that every awful thing that would happen in a shutdown shuttering programs that Americans rely on, damaging our economy, firing federal workers all of this is already happening,"

"Congress is the only remaining chance we have to stop the gutting of public services Americans depend on,"

"They accepted a position of power and privilege of representing the American people,"

"If they're serious about doing that, they need to stand up and represent the American people and push back against a president who wants to be king."

Jenna Norton, a program director at the National Institutes of Health now furloughed, urged lawmakers to reject a spending deal that preserves the current trajectory. She called on Congress to use its power of the purse to reverse cuts and take back control of government spending. An estimated 750,000 federal employees are furloughed, while many others, including military personnel, continue working without pay. Administration officials have reiterated threats of mass layoffs and announced halts to federal projects, often targeting states led by Democrats. The situation has already produced widespread program disruptions and economic impacts.

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