🔗 Share this article

The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed 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 do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.