Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said that the White House's threatened firings if a government shutdown proceeds don't "have to happen" if Democrats sign onto a GOP plan to keep the government open.

The White House has threatened to carry out mass layoffs if a deal to avoid a government shutdown is not reached.

The Office of Management and Budget says in a memo that agencies should prepare reduction-in-force plans to accompany furloughs if a spending bill isn't passed next week.

The White House budget office is telling federal agencies to prepare plans for mass firings in the event of a government shutdown, with instructions to target programs they are not legally required to continue.

The White House budget office indicated Wednesday that mass firings could be on the table in the event of a government shutdown as Congress faces a stalemate on negotiations in the days leading up

The White House on Thursday told agencies to prepare large-scale firings of federal workers if the government shuts down next week. This time prospects for a last-minute compromise look rather bleak..

The White House is telling agencies to prepare large-scale firings of federal workers if the government shuts down next week.

A government shutdown is fast approaching on Oct. 1, and the White House is using the threat of more federal workforce firings to pressure Democrats.

With just five days left before the government shuts down, the White House is threatening mass layoffs if the Democrats do not pass the GOP's spending bill. Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman joins Katy Tur from Capitol Hill to explain more on the "scare" tactics.

S.D., accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., of hypocrisy for opposing government funding after supporting it earlier this year.