🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

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

Although the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government running,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.