White House warns layoffs are imminent if shutdown continues [SOUND]

# The White House says government agencies are already preparing for cuts and layoffs, which are imminent as the shutdown drags on. The government shutdown began on Wednesday after Republicans and Democrats in Congress disagreed on a new spending plan. Democrats want to secure guarantees on healthcare funding, while Republicans want to use a temporary stopgap measure to keep the government open until mid-November. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the Democrats are to blame for this shutdown: