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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

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

While Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

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