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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the end of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

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