[U.S. Government Shutdown May Force National Nuclear Security Administration into Emergency Shutdown in 8 Days]
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated that due to the ongoing government shutdown, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a division under the Department of Energy, currently has funding to sustain full operations for approximately 8 days. If funds are depleted, the NNSA will be forced to initiate 'emergency shutdown procedures,' retaining only a minimal number of personnel to ensure the safety of nuclear weapons. This situation would severely disrupt its critical missions. The NNSA is responsible for maintaining the nuclear arsenal, carrying out nuclear nonproliferation tasks, and supporting naval nuclear propulsion systems, involving approximately 65,000 employees and contractors.