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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and vowed to contest the actions in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

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

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors 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.