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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

While Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican 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 do their job 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

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, 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 funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.