Administration Reveals Federal Worker Job Cuts as Shutdown Nears Three-Week Mark

The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

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

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, 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 fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but not the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.