🔗 Share this article

The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following 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 resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House 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 reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but not the start of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters 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.