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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

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

Although the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.