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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive 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 Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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 court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party 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 the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

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

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

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

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

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.