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Administration officials disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services 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

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate 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 Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.