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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. 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 soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.