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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed 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 fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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