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The White House confirmed the initiation of government employee layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.