🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

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

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House 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 stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.