Administration Announces Federal Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Third Week
The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.
Official Announcement and Initial Details
The director of the White House budget office posted 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 impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.
Union Response and Legal Challenges
Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in court.
This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.
The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”
Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle
Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.
At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.
Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”
Legal and Operational Constraints
Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.
An analysis contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.
Consequences for Employees
The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since appropriations expired 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 suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”
The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.
