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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” 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 funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After 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.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved 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,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.