White House Official Feels Less Optimistic on Avoiding Government Shutdown

A White House official has warned the public of an impending government shutdown.

On Friday, Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said she is not confident that the federal government can avoid a shutdown in the coming weeks. Government operations are currently funded by two continuing resolutions – one with a Jan. 19 expiration date and the other set to expire on Feb. 2. 

Congress is set to resume its session in the second week of January, Nextgov/FCW reported.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is among the agencies that will be significantly impacted. If Congress fails to come to a settlement, its operations would only be at about 30 percent of its workforce, lessening its capability to protect national security.

A government shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass essential funding bills needed to ensure the continuity of government operations. It results in several impacts, including contractors at risk of being laid off and the stoppage of funding for federal programs.

On Sunday, House Speaker Mike John Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schummer announced that the Democrats and the Republicans had reached a deal but it does not guarantee that the shutdown will not happen.