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The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through 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

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

During 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 government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration 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 occurred on the very day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

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