🔗 Share this article

Administration officials disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked 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 a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

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