🔗 Share this article

The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since funding expired 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 government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.