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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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 contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

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

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

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