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Administration officials disclosed the initiation of government employee terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed 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 confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public 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 wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff 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. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but not the start of October, 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 failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.