🔗 Share this article Administration Announces Government Worker Layoffs as Funding Gap Approaches Three-Week Mark Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week. Formal Statement and Initial Details Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go. While Vought provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts. Union Response and Legal Challenges Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in court. “It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE. The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then. At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis. “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, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.” Legal and Operational Constraints Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs. A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began. Consequences for Employees The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month. A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees. This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.” The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.