🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock 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 GOP bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.