Xinhua Agency, Washington, October 1 (Reporters Xiong Maoling and Hu Yousong) US Vice President Vance warned on the 1st that if the federal government's "shutdown" lasts for a long time, layoffs may be triggered. White House spokesman Levitt said federal layoffs are "very likely" and will happen "soon."

Vance said at the White House press conference that day that if this deadlock drags on for a few days or even weeks, the federal government may have to lay off employees. Regarding the reasons for layoffs, Vance said that the federal government had to save money in some places to ensure that the necessary services of the government would not be interrupted by the "shutdown".

Levitt said at the same press conference that President Trump has given instructions to the cabinet that the White House Office of Management and Budget is working with various government departments and agencies to determine where spending can be cut. "We believe layoffs are imminent." she said.

Trump and White House officials have repeatedly said the federal government would cut jobs once it "stop", saying Democrats should be responsible for it. U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has pointed out Republicans' attempts to use federal employees as a scam in this budget dispute and called it a means of intimidation and threat.

Due to differences between the two parties on medical-related benefits, the U.S. Senate failed to pass a new interim appropriations bill on September 30 before government funds were exhausted. Starting from 0:00 on October 1, the U.S. federal government "shut down" again in nearly seven years.

In the past, when the U.S. federal government was "shut down", only government employees who provided "necessary services" such as air traffic control and law enforcement officers continued to go to work without pay. As many as hundreds of thousands of employees were "vacated" and would not be paid back until the government resumed operation. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that about 750,000 federal employees will be "furloughed" this time, and their total daily salary cost is about $400 million.