🔗 Share this article Administration Announces Government Worker Layoffs as Shutdown Approaches Third Week The White House disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week. Official Announcement and Initial Details Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go. While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force. Labor Reaction and Court Actions Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in court. This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE. The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then. At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis. Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Legal and Operational Constraints Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions. A report contended that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began. Consequences for Employees These terminations took place on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period. Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees. “It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials 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.