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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details 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 ability of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

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

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.