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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

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

While the official provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but not the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning 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 government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.