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Administration officials confirmed 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 straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

While the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

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 challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported 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 the following week, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded 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 government shutdown.”

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