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The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

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

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but not the start of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.