Potential Government Shutdown: White House Prepares

An internal memo recently accessed indicates that the White House Management and Budget Office (OMB) is preparing for a potential government shutdown on October 1. This memo outlines steps for a Reduction in Force (RIF) plan that federal agencies should consider.

The guidance advises that if funding expires, specific notifications should be issued to employees working on programs that do not require ongoing legal funding. The memo specifies that programs without current funding no longer need to be legally operated.

Moreover, these RIF notifications are expected to accompany Furlough Notices, alerting all employees involved in the affected programs.

If a shutdown occurs, Capitol Hill activities like garbage collection and tours would likely be suspended.

Once Congress approves the budget for fiscal year 2026 and retains only essential staffing for legal obligations, revisions to these plans will follow.

The memo points out a historical trend of bipartisan short-term funding bills but expresses a belief that this year will differ, attributing this to what it describes as “inappropriate demands,” including an additional $1 trillion in spending proposed by Democrats.

Recently, the House passed HR 5371, a clean continuing resolution aimed at extending current funding until November 21. While the administration supports this bill, the memo claims Senate Democrats are obstructing it.

The memo concludes with a hopeful note that Congressional Democrats will avoid a shutdown, which would render these contingency plans unnecessary. The President is in favor of establishing a clean continuing resolution to ensure discretionary spending continues past the September 30 deadline.

The White House has not yet responded to requests for further comment from various media outlets.