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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government 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, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the very day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but not the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect 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 government running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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