NASA Watch reports that the threat of actual federal layoffs is rising during the ongoing government shutdown, adding to furloughs already in effect. NASA headquarters has contingency plans for such layoffs, but with the agency’s public affairs office on furlough, official communication is limited.
The report cites several developments: the Congressional Budget Office warning of imminent layoffs, a budget director telling Republicans that federal job cuts are days away, claims that directives to fire workers during a shutdown may be illegal, and agencies like the Patent Office already laying off staff.
The White House and Office of Management and Budget have reportedly issued strict warnings to agencies against sharing shutdown-related details publicly.