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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and pledged to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities nationwide,” 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.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

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