🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats 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 posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful 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 Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House 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. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

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

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.