🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and vowed to contest the actions in court.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican 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 do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

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