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The White House confirmed the initiation of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

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

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

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

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the final days of September but not the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.