🔗 Share this article White House Announces Government Employee Job Cuts as Shutdown Approaches Third Week The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week. Formal Statement and Initial Details The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff. While Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force. Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system. “It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees. The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.” Political Standoff and Funding Battle Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended soon. During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House 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 end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Legal and Operational Constraints Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute staff reductions. An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began. Impact on Workers The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period. Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees. “It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.” The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.