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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

While Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.