Senate Democrat accuses Trump of mafia-style blackmail in shutdown fight
Sen. Chris Van Hollen denounces an OMB memo proposing mass firings during a funding lapse as the Sept. 30 deadline nears; lawmakers remain at an impasse
WASHINGTON — A Senate Democrat criticized President Trump after a memo from the Office of Management and Budget outlined a plan to authorize mass firings beyond typical furloughs if Congress cannot pass funding by the Sept. 30 deadline. The memo told federal agencies to consider Reduction in Force notices for programs with no alternative funding, in addition to furloughs, if there is a lapse in appropriations.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said the memo amounts to mafia-style blackmail and would threaten civil servants who deliver essential services. He argued the plan would punish Americans and could be illegal.
The memo notes that Reduction in Force notices would be issued in addition to any furlough notices and would apply regardless of whether an employee is excepted or furloughed during a lapse in funding. The guidance directs agencies to use this option where funding ends and no other funding source exists.
Lawmakers return to Washington on Monday as the funding deadline looms. The House passed a short-term funding extension last week, but Senate Republicans and Democrats remain at odds over the bill. A meeting that would have included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and President Trump was scheduled for Thursday but was canceled, with the president accusing Democrats of making ridiculous demands.
Republicans have pushed back against Democrats' counterproposal, deeming it unserious and insisting that a number of items be resolved before any agreement. The items include permanently extending expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, repealing a portion of the health care provisions in the administration's preferred legislation, and clawing back funding for NPR and PBS.
The memo was obtained by Fox News Digital and circulated as lawmakers prepared to resume negotiations ahead of the deadline. Officials in the White House have urged agencies to prepare layoff plans in case funding remains unresolved.
As the clock ticks toward Sept. 30, the political fight shows little sign of narrowing, and federal agencies are watching closely for how any contingency measures could affect services and benefits for Americans.
The fight also encompasses disagreements over the shape of a stopgap, with Democrats insisting on a seat at the negotiating table and Republicans pushing back on several items included in the Democratic counteroffer. Trump has argued that Democrats are blocking reasonable funding, while Democrats maintain that any agreement must protect funding for core federal services and avoid broad staff reductions where possible.
The narrative in Washington underscores how near-term fiscal decisions could reshape federal staffing and services if lawmakers cannot reach a funding agreement by the deadline. The White House has signaled that it is prepared to move quickly on contingencies, while lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say more time is needed to reach a durable compromise.