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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced 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 the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

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

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

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.