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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

Although Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.