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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

While the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government 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 unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, 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. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.