New Delhi, Oct. 2 -- White House Budget Director Russell Vought signaled that layoffs could begin within days as the federal government shutdown stretches on.

"Some federal agencies will move to terminate workers within one to two days," Vought told House lawmakers Wednesday, according to Bloomberg, which cited people familiar with the private meeting.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that message, telling reporters layoffs were "imminent, very soon." She declined to specify which agencies or positions would be targeted.

Earlier on Wednesday, the administration also halted $18 billion in federal funding earmarked for New York City infrastructure projects, including the Second Avenue Subway and the Hudson Tunnel Proje...