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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by the public and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.