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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security 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 impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide 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, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials 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.