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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch 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 terminating staff.

While Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers 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, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

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

“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, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

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