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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While 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 Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but not the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.