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Administration officials confirmed the initiation of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

Although the official did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning 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 not supporting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but excluding the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

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 government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.