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

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the month.

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

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.