🔗 Share this article

The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

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

While Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

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

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.