🔗 Share this article

Administration officials disclosed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

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

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “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 court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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