On Monday, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) placed over 75% of its workforce on furlough as the government shutdown approaches its fourth week.

A spokesperson for the Department of Energy informed The Hill that by the end of the day, 1,400 employees from NNSA would be furloughed, reducing the active workforce to under 400. This agency is tasked with managing the country’s nuclear arsenal.

The spokesperson commented, “As a result of the Democratic-led shutdown, about 1,400 NNSA federal employees are being furloughed today, October 20th. Nearly 400 federal employees will remain on duty to ensure the protection of property and the safety of human lives.”

It was noted that the NNSA’s Office of Secure Transportation would maintain funding for an additional week, extending through October 27.

Energy Department spokesperson Ben Dietderich conveyed to CNN that this marks the first occurrence in the 25-year history of the NNSA where employees have been furloughed due to a government shutdown.

“We are left with no choice this time. We’ve extended funding as long as we could,” Dietderich said.

“While the Energy Department and NNSA remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of America’s nuclear deterrent, the longer the shutdown lasts, the more damaging and dire the consequences will be for workforce retention and weapons modernization efforts critical to national security,” Dietderich added in the statement to CNN.

The government is on Day 20 of a shutdown, as no real negotiations appear ongoing between the two sides. Democrats continue to insist that the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year, be expanded before they lend their support to a GOP proposal to reopen the government.

Filip Timotija contributed reporting.