• Many communications staff at the White House have been furloughed as a result of the government shutdown.
  • Staffers forced to stay home have auto-response emails blaming Democrats for the shutdown, which is now in its third day.

The government shutdown has resulted in thousands of federal employees being furloughed, leaving large gaps in responses by White House staff, among others.

White House communications personnel who have been furloughed left automatic email responses blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.

“Unfortunately, I am out of the office today because congressional Democrats are holding government funding-including funding for our troops and other national security priorities-hostage to an unrelated immigration debate. Please contact Raj Shah, Hogan Gidley or Lindsay Walters for all media inquiries,” an auto-response email said.

A nearly identical message plays on the White House comment line, which is typically used for citizens wishing to air grievances or criticisms of the president.

"Unfortunately, we cannot answer your call today because Congressional Democrats are holding government funding, including funding for our troops and other national security priorities, hostage to an unrelated immigration debate," the message said.

It is not just the White House that has been affected. NASA's official channel for the Moon halted all Twitter activities until the government reopens.

And an end to the shutdown might not be coming anytime soon. While a vote is scheduled in the Senate on Monday, it is still short of the 60 Republicans and Democrats needed to move forward.