🔗 Share this article White House Reveals Federal Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Third Week Administration officials disclosed the initiation of government employee terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week. Formal Statement and Early Information Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff. Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force. Labor Reaction and Court Actions Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system. “It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE. The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, 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 includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended before then. At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis. “This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Judicial and Practical Limits Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions. An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired. Impact on Workers The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the month. Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees. “It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.” The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.