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The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

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

Although the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department 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 used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.