Andy Biggs Discusses Potential Mass Layoffs During Government Shutdown

Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) discussed the potential for thousands of federal workers to be fired during the government shutdown in a recent appearance on Fox Business' Bottom Line.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought stated during a Republican conference call on Wednesday, October 1st, that the firings would occur within "a day or two," and approximately 750,000 federal employees are expected to be furloughed during the shutdown.

Rep. Biggs recalled that Vought "was not that specific as to how many jobs they were going to terminate, but what Russ said was, 'Look, here's the deal: You have got nonessential employees that even their agency has determined are nonessential, so maybe that is where you look first.' And he also that that you have got all these grants. Well, there is no way to fund grants right now, so maybe some of those grants can go away too."

"I call this new federalism or 'intuitive federalism,'" Rep. Biggs continued, noting that Vought has "more plans up his sleeve" to shrink the federal government's footprint via cuts and rescissions despite Democrats' demonization of him.

"The Democrats have played a game of chicken here because they would rather fund illegal aliens' healthcare than actually get the government right-sized, and so I think that you are going to see some people lose their jobs," Rep. Biggs commented.

The Arizona Congressman had previously suggested that Democrats would be blamed for a government shutdown, writing on X that "Shutdown Schumer and his Senate Democrats are poised to shut down the government over taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries and benefits for illegal aliens. We will not capitulate to the radical Left's insane demands."