Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said if the government shutdown continues, mass layoffs and cuts to programs favored by Democrats will probably follow.

Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, promised as much in a late September letter advising federal agency chiefs to prepare for staff reductions.

And Mr. Vought has already enacted billions of dollars in cuts to infrastructure programs in New York City and Chicago, while also placing holds on green energy programs in 16 states that have not voted for Donald Trump in three presidential elections.

Mr. Rounds said he keeps warning Democrats that much more is coming.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve had no communication with anybody, but I can sure read the tea leaves. And if I can read them, I think our

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