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The White House confirmed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

Although Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

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

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

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

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

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