🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment for the final days of September but excluding the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, 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 during the shutdown.