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The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended before then.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before 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 the previous month but not the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.