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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

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

Although Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union for federal workers announced 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 “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “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 healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but not the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

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

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.