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Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued 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 employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

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

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration 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 government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but not the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.