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Administration officials disclosed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response 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 pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president 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 Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.