White House Reveals Federal Worker Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Three-Week Mark
Administration officials disclosed the initiation of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.
Formal Statement and Early Information
Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.
While the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.
Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges
Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in court.
This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.
The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Political Standoff and Funding Battle
Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.
At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber 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 end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”
Legal and Operational Constraints
Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.
An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.
Consequences for Employees
These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but not the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.
A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.
This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”
The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.