🔗 Share this article

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

Formal Statement and Early Information

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

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head 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 failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.