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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

While the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the House 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 end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.