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Administration officials confirmed the initiation of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public 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 critical services to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

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

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, 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 continuing to be paid during the shutdown.