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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

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

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

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