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The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

While the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “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, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

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

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but not the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.