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The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation 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, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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