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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but excluding the start of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

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

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

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