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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful 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, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed 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 reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, 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 implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but not the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the month.

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

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.