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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement 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 letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.