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Administration officials disclosed the start 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 straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

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

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.