🔗 Share this article

Administration officials disclosed the initiation of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

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

While the official did not specify which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved 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,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

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

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start 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 government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.