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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official 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 department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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