🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since funding expired at the start of the period.

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

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.