🔗 Share this article

Administration officials disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans 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 numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation 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 next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job 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 sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the start of the period.

Max Stier, 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 elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.