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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

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

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

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