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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing 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 wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, saying, “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 legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

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

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

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

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.