Administration Reveals Government Worker Job Cuts as Shutdown Nears Third Week
The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.
Formal Statement and Initial Details
Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for terminating staff.
While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.
Union Response and Court Actions
Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in court.
This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.
The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”
Political Standoff and Funding Battle
Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.
At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.
“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.
An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.
Consequences for Employees
These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.
Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.
“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”
A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.
