Because of the ongoing budget standoff in Washington, all 68 federal employees at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) have been furloughed.
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), part of the Department of Energy, says it simply ran out of money to pay them.
Another Example of Washington Waste
This is the first time in history that the NNSA has had to send home so many of its workers.
Wright called it “unprecedented.” Conservatives call it predictable.
Decade after decade, Washington keeps growing – more agencies, more departments, more debt – yet it still can’t balance a budget or protect its own workforce from its dysfunction.
For Nevada, that failure hits home. The NNSS isn’t some small outpost.
It’s one of the most important federal sites in the country, supporting nuclear security operations and research that protect the nation.
But now it’s sitting half-idle, not because Nevadans failed to do their jobs – but because politicians in D.C. can’t do theirs.
The Shutdown Ripple Effect
The shutdown raises a bigger question: is our economy too dependent on the federal government in the first place?
When 68 paychecks suddenly vanish, there’s a ripple effect – it hurts local grocery stores, gas stations, and small businesses.
Every time Washington goes into crisis mode, local families pay the price.
That’s why many conservatives have long argued that Nevada needs to stand more on its own feet.
Building up private industry instead of relying so heavily on federal programs and contracts.
Whether it’s mining, manufacturing, or technology, those jobs can’t be taken hostage by political gridlock back east.
If This Were a Business, They’d Be Closing the Doors
This latest mess also exposes just how little accountability exists inside the federal system.
The NNSA said part of the problem is that it didn’t have “as much of a financial cushion” as before because carryover funds were reduced.
Translation: Congress spent or redirected the funds that might have kept things running.
In the real world, when a Nevada business runs short on payroll, the owner takes responsibility.
In Washington, they just blame the other party and hold press conferences.
Pointing Fingers Instead of Finding Fixes
Democrats are already pointing fingers at Republicans, claiming the shutdown “jeopardizes national security.”
But the real threat to national security isn’t a short pause in paychecks.
It’s a federal system so bloated and mismanaged that it can’t even fund essential services without a crisis.
Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto called the furloughs “unacceptable.”
What’s really unacceptable is that her party keeps voting for budgets that explode the national debt and then acts shocked when the money runs out.
A Shutdown Is Bad – A Bloated Government Is Worse
Nevada’s 68 furloughed workers didn’t cause this problem. Washington did.
Until Congress learns to live within its means – like every average American family has to – we’ll keep seeing the same circus perform.
This shutdown should be a national wake-up call.
The more states – including Nevada – depend on the federal government, the more vulnerable we become.
Strong states don’t beg Washington for stability. They build it themselves.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
