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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

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

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined 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 adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but not the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

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

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.