🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved 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 end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.