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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s 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 agency. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but excluding the beginning of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our 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 still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.