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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting 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 Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.