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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 US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

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

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, declaring, “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 healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, 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 opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.