🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. 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 Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, 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 administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but not the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.