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

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, 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 carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

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