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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

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

Although the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted 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 reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed 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 next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, 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 court injunction to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but not the start of the current month, since funding expired at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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