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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.

While the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.