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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing 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 posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors 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.