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

Official Announcement and Initial Details

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

While Vought did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber 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,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but not the start 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 government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.