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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go.

Although Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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 refused to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.