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The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.