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The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats 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 social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

While Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon 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 wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but not the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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