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The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend 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,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.

While Vought did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.