US Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned on Fox News that the US is running out of funds allocated to keep its nuclear arsenal safe amid the ongoing government shutdown.
“The National Nuclear Security Administration, the agency responsible for overseeing our nuclear arsenal and the engines that power our submarines and aircraft carriers, has about eight days of funding left,” the secretary said.
He said that once the remaining time runs out, they will have to suspend operations.
The government shutdown, caused by the lack of budget funding approved by Congress for the new fiscal year, began in the United States on Wednesday.
On Friday, the Senate made another attempt to agree on government funding, but neither the Republican bill nor the Democratic opposition proposal managed to secure enough votes.
The next attempt to vote on the budget is expected on October 6.
The new fiscal year began in the United States without a budget approved by Congress, forcing the federal government to suspend operations.
Republicans control both houses of the US Congress, but need 60 votes to pass their bill to continue funding the government in the Senate. The ruling party currently holds 53 seats.
US President Donald Trump has previously said that he may use the government shutdown to make massive staff and wage cuts. He claims that the Democrats' position has created the budget impasse, and the White House is taking advantage of the current situation to eliminate programs that Republicans do not like.