🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

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

While the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in court.

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

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.