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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

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

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.