Speaker Johnson says mass layoffs ‘regrettable’ but WH ‘required to do it by Chuck Schumer’

Government Shutdown Impact - The White House is preparing for potential layoffs of thousands of federal workers due to the shutdown [1] - The situation is regrettable, and the President had asked Chuck Schumer and Hakee Jeffries to keep the government open [2] - Senate Democrats are seen as having handed over decision-making power to the White House, leading to tough choices [3] Key Personnel & Actions - Russ Vote, from the Office of Management and Budget, is tasked with determining essential programs, policies, and personnel due to funding being cut off [4] - Chuck Schumer is urged to vote to keep the government open, as layoffs are unprecedented in this type of situation [3]