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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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

This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House 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 end the shutdown,” the speaker 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, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president 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 leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

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