🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials 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 safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.