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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the actions in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

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

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

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

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

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