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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted 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 challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “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 bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the end 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 head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.