🔗 Share this article Administration Announces Government Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Three-Week Mark The White House confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week. Official Announcement and Initial Details The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff. While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force. Union Response and Court Actions Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in court. This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees. The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then. During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed 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 do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Judicial and Practical Limits Last week, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs. An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired. Consequences for Employees These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the end of September but not the start of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the period. A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers. This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.” The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.