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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, 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 media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, 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,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, 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 block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the end of September but not the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.