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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response 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 wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.