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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set 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 “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

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

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.