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

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected 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 the public and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

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

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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