🔗 Share this article

The White House disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

While Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

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

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. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, 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 during the shutdown.