🔗 Share this article Administration Announces Federal Employee Job Cuts as Shutdown Approaches Third Week The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week. Formal Statement and Initial Details Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for terminating staff. Although the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force. Labor Reaction and Court Actions Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system. “It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees. The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then. During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote. “This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.” Judicial and Practical Limits Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs. A report contended that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began. Impact on Workers These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period. A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers. “It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.” A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.