In a historic first, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration will furlough most of its staff Monday as the federal government shutdown enters its third week.

About 1,400 workers will be sent home, leaving fewer than 400 to safeguard the U.S. nuclear stockpile. The agency has never furloughed workers since its creation in 2000. Energy Secretary Chris Wright blamed Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the furloughs.

"This morning, America's nuclear security administration has begun furloughing federal employees due to the Schumer shutdown," Wright said in a statement. "I'm in Nevada today to meet with some of these critical workers and to ask Nevada's leaders to help us end this shutdown."

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