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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

Although 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 agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.