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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation 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 next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often 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 implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.