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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.