White House Reveals Federal Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Third Week
The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.
Formal Statement and Early Information
The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.
While Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.
Labor Reaction and Court Actions
Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system.
“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.
The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”
Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle
Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.
During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed 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, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.
An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.
Impact on Workers
These terminations occurred on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the end of September but not the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.
A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.
This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”
A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.