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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

Although the official did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for 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 adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “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 temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts 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 October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.