🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, 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 government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined 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 put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any layoffs 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 carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since funding expired at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.