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Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

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

While Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute 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 started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.