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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.