Overview

• OMB Director Russ Vought said reductions in force have started, with significant cuts signaled at Treasury, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Education, Commerce and Energy.
• The administration has frozen tens of billions of dollars in transfers for transit and climate programs, framing the standoff as a chance to cut or reorganize agencies seen as aligned with Democrats.
• Federal employee unions have filed lawsuits to block the dismissals, and a judge ordered the administration to justify the planned cuts, with unions citing roughly 1,300 potential layoffs at Treasury.
• Air travel is straining as FAA staffing shortfalls and rising controller absences drive thousands of delays at hubs including Las Vegas, Denver and Newark; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned repeat no‑shows could be fired.
• The shutdown has stretched into a second week with a Senate impasse over health-subsidy funding and a 60‑vote hurdle, while the White House has signaled no guarantee of retroactive pay.