🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding expired 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 leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.