At the same time, the FTP faces increasing pressure from the federal government, which has begun investigating alleged leftist infiltration of American society through the House Committee on Un-American Activities. The WPA, faced with the threat of losing its budget, cuts funding for all FTP productions, lays off thousands of workers, and orders all ongoing projects, including "The Cradle Will Rock", to cease their activities. The local unions for the musicians and actors refuse to let them perform without federal approval, forcing the show to close.