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Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

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

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.