🔗 Share this article

Administration officials disclosed the initiation of government employee layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which was approved 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, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions filed for a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment for the end of September but not the beginning of October, since funding expired at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.