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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

Although Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

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

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.