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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and pledged to contest the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber 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 stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis contended 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 funding expired.

Impact on Workers

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

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

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

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