🔗 Share this article White House Announces Federal Worker Job Cuts as Shutdown Nears Third Week The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week. Official Announcement and Initial Details Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go. Although the official did not specify which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts. Union Response and Court Actions Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system. This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE. The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Political Standoff and Funding Battle Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended before then. During 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 largely partisan basis. “This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.” Legal and Operational Constraints Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions. An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired. Consequences for Employees These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the month. Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on government workers. This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.” A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.