I was wondering this morning when would the government let off their employees and how many.
Not any time soon. Republicans need to control Congress. Once that occurs, Republicans need to get a backbone. They have a couple options once in control. The first is to not increase the debt limit. That, in turn, will require appropriations to be cut to match decreased tax revenue from an economy in recession. Concurrently, the cost of everything will be higher due to inflation. Something will have to be cut. Republicans cannot raise taxes to temporarily increase revenue. That would be disastrous to the economy. I doubt Republicans can pass any bills that shutter portions of government. The only way that can occur is if they have a veto proof majority. Real cuts in government will have to wait for a Republican president.
Democrats heads will explode and act as the world will end if any lazy ass government employee is ever laid off. Be prepared for that.