🔗 Share this article Administration Reveals Federal Worker Layoffs as Funding Gap Nears Third Week The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week. Formal Statement and Early Information Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go. Although Vought did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force. Union Response and Court Actions Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in court. “It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees. The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon. During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote. Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Judicial and Practical Limits Previously, 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 disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions. A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired. Consequences for Employees The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but excluding the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the period. A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers. This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.” The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.