🔗 Share this article

Administration officials disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, 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 end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period.

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

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.