🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised 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 “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official procedure for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

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

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the end of September but excluding the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.