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The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved 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 do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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