🔗 Share this article White House Reveals Federal Worker Layoffs as Shutdown Approaches Third Week The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week. Formal Statement and Initial Details Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for letting employees go. Although the official provided no details on which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts. Union Response and Court Actions Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system. “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 nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees. The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon. At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis. “This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Judicial and Practical Limits Last week, unions filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs. A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired. Consequences for Employees These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period. Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees. This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.” A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.