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The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

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

While the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.