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The White House confirmed the initiation of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by the public and pledged to contest the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused 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 adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since funding expired at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, 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 White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters 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 shutdown.