🔗 Share this article

Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP 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,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but not the start of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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