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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.

While Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

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

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but not the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.