Administration Reveals Government Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Third Week
Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.
Official Announcement and Initial Details
The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.
While Vought provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.
Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges
Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the actions in court.
“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.
The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”
Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute
Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.
At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.
“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.
An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.
Impact on Workers
The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.
A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.
“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”
A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.
