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

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “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 shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but not the beginning of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

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