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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

Although Vought provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions filed for a court injunction to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but not the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

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