White House Reveals Government Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Approaches Third Week

Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved 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,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance 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 government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, 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 continuing to be paid during the funding gap.