1,400 federal workers furloughed at NNSA amid shutdown; nuclear stockpile remains secure.

The National Nuclear Security Administration has begun furloughing about 1,400 federal workers due to the ongoing government shutdown that started October 1, 2025, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed. Nearly 400 federal employees and thousands of contractors remain on duty to maintain essential nuclear security operations, including the safety of the nation’s nuclear stockpile. While officials say the stockpile remains secure, the furloughs disrupt testing for commercial nuclear reactors and have drawn bipartisan criticism over national security risks. The shutdown’s impact extends across federal agencies, with concerns growing over long-term effects on infrastructure, public services, and workforce stability.