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The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains 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.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

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