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The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

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

This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, 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,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but not the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House 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 responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.