Nuclear Weapons Agency to Begin Furloughs, US Energy Secretary Warns

Government Shutdown Impact - The shutdown is considered destructive, hindering efforts to lower American energy costs and build manufacturing facilities [1] - Approximately 100,000 contractors modernizing the nuclear weapons stockpile may face unpaid work, potentially leading to job loss and program disruption [2][3] - The National Nuclear Security Administration may furlough employees due to lack of funds, impacting the nuclear stockpile modernization program [3][4] National Security Concerns - Modernization program to replace older weapons with new modern weapons is a key part of the job [5] - While existing nuclear stockpile will be secure, the modernization program faces disruption due to the shutdown [4][5] - The speaker adamantly favors ending the shutdown to ensure America's nuclear safety [5]