🔗 Share this article White House Reveals Federal Employee Job Cuts as Shutdown Nears Three-Week Mark Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week. Formal Statement and Early Information Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff. Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts. Union Response and Court Actions Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in court. This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE. The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon. During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House 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,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Legal and Operational Constraints Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs. An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began. Consequences for Employees These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the period. Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees. This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.” A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.