White House Announces Federal Worker Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Three-Week Mark
The White House confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing 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 “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.
While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.
Labor Reaction and Court Actions
Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in court.
“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.
The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”
Political Standoff and Funding Battle
Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.
During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.
Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.
An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.
Impact on Workers
The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the end of September but not the start of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.
Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.
This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”
The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.