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The White House disclosed the initiation of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

Although Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs 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 government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs 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 the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.