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Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.

While Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

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

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

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