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The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party 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 adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the start of the month.

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

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.