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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed 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 fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government 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 if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.