🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

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

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a court injunction to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government running,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.