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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.