🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

Although Vought provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and vowed to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.