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

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.