🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although Vought provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, 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 implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.