🔗 Share this article Administration Announces Federal Worker Layoffs as Funding Gap Approaches Third Week The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week. Official Announcement and Early Information Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go. Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts. Union Response and Court Actions Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in court. “It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees. The AFL-CIO 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 Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended before then. During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis. Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Judicial and Practical Limits Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions. An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired. Impact on Workers The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the month. Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers. This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors 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 amid the funding gap.