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The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

Although Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

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

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.