The White House is raising the stakes of a potential government shutdown by drafting a request for federal agencies to prepare “reduction in force” plans in the event that Congress doesn’t pass a spending bill before Oct. 1.

In a memo from the Office of Management and Budget, obtained by NBC News, the Trump administration indicated it's prepared to go beyond the traditional furloughing of some government employees during a shutdown and fire federal employees.

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"With respect to those Federal programs whose funding would lapse and which are otherwise unfunded, such programs are no longer statutorily required to be carried out," the memo states. "RIF notices will be in addition to any furlough notices provided due t

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