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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, 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 provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

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

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

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

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.