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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, 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 prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

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