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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.