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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations 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 contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.