🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding 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 deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff 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, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.