Overview

• Energy Secretary Chris Wright said at a White House Cabinet meeting that the National Nuclear Security Administration will exhaust funds in six to seven days as the partial shutdown persists.
• Wright warned that nuclear modernization work would “slow to a crawl” and called the looming shortfall “incredibly irresponsible.”
• The NNSA oversees the safety and readiness of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile and manages naval reactors used in submarines and aircraft carriers.
• Under the Department of Energy’s shutdown plan, core safety, nonproliferation and naval reactor activities continue for now using remaining funding streams.
• Wright blamed Senate Democrats for delaying confirmation of the NNSA leader and for blocking appropriations during the ongoing partisan dispute over spending.