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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement 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 the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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