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Administration officials disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

While Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.