🔗 Share this article

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

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, 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 opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment for the final days of September but excluding the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

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

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

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