🔗 Share this article White House Reveals Federal Worker Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Third Week Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week. Formal Statement and Early Information The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff. Although the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization 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 cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in court. “It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing 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 refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended soon. During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting 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 reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.” Judicial and Practical Limits Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs. A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the funding expired. Consequences for Employees The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period. Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees. This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials 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 shutdown.