Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House on July 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images)
Vought described the move as Democrats forcing the Trump administration’s hand after Senate Democrats rejected the GOP’s plan to keep federal agencies funded multiple times.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also spoke up to defend Vought against left-wing attacks about the layoffs, Fox News Digital was told.
Johnson said Democratic lawmakers put Vought in a "terrible situation" in having to move forward with layoffs by rejecting the GOP’s spending plan and encouraged House Republicans to defend him against those attacks.
REPUBLICANS ERUPT OVER SHUTDOWN CHAOS, ACCUSE DEMS OF HOLDING GOVERNMENT ‘HOSTAGE’
President Donald Trump said the government shutdown that took effect on Oct. 1 would likely include mass layoffs and program cuts. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The bill, which would have given Congress until Nov. 21 to set fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding priorities, passed the House largely along party lines on Sept. 19.
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The measure would keep the government funded largely on current levels for that period but with an added $88 million in security dollars for lawmakers, the White House and the judicial branch.
Democrats, furious at being largely sidelined in funding discussions, have signaled they would not accept any bill that does not also extend Obamacare tax subsidies that were enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those enhanced subsidies are due to expire at the end of this year.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-prepares-imminent-federal-layoffs-after-democrats-force-government-shutdown