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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.