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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but not the beginning of October, since funding expired at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.