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The White House confirmed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

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

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

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

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

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.