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The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would also occur 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.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing 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

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended before then.

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

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” 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 court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts 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 incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.