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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations 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 pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay 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 paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis 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 initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.

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

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government running,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.