🔗 Share this article Administration Announces Federal Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Approaches Third Week The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week. Official Announcement and Initial Details The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for terminating staff. Although Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts. Union Response and Court Actions Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in the legal system. “It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees. The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended soon. During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis. Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Judicial and Practical Limits Last week, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs. A report argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired. Consequences for Employees These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the period. A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers. “It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.” The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.