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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.