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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department 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 CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads 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.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

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 said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.