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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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

This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, 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 do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but not the start of October, since funding expired at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.