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

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go.

While the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

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

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing 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 federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the month.

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

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.