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The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

While Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.