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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

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

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors 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 shutdown.