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

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

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

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.