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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker terminations 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

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

While Vought did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions 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 healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions 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 directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the final days of September but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

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

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.