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The White House confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

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

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

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

Federal workers’ final pay 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, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, 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 shutdown.