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The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the end of September but excluding the beginning of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.