🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often 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 government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

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

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.