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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period.

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

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.