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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and vowed to contest the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but not the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

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