The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has announced that it will furlough approximately 1,400 staff members due to an ongoing government shutdown. This action marks the first significant furlough at the agency responsible for overseeing the U.S. nuclear stockpile, effectively reducing its workforce to around 400 employees from nearly 2,000. The Energy Secretary has highlighted concerns that this disruption could jeopardize national security and intensify competition in the nuclear realm, particularly with China. As the government shutdown persists, the NNSA is grappling with significant operational challenges, emphasizing the critical nature of maintaining a fully operational oversight agency.