🔗 Share this article

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

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted 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 representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that employees 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 relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.