Administration Reveals Government Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Three-Week Mark
Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.
Official Announcement and Initial Details
The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.
Although the official did not specify which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.
Labor Reaction and Court Actions
Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in court.
This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.
The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute
Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.
During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.
“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”
Legal and Operational Constraints
Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.
A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.
Impact on Workers
The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.
Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.
This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”
A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.
