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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the end 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 political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.