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

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

While Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and vowed to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said 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.”

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. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.