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

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican 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 opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but not the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.