🔗 Share this article White House Reveals Federal Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Three-Week Mark The White House confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week. Official Announcement and Early Information The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go. Although the official provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts. Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court. This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE. The AFL-CIO responded to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.” Political Standoff and Budget Dispute Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved soon. At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis. Federal workers’ final pay that government employees 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 on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.” Judicial and Practical Limits Previously, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions. An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired. Consequences for Employees The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the end of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period. A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers. “It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.” The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.