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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

Although Vought provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

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

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders 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 GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred 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 expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.