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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

While Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

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

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, 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 running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.