🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed 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 extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, 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.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.