🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed the initiation of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

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

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “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 legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.