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Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

Although Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but not the start of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.