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The White House confirmed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.

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

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors 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.