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The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

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

This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.