🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding 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, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

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

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.