Administration Reveals Federal Worker Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Third Week
The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.
Official Announcement and Initial Details
Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.
While Vought provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.
Union Response and Legal Challenges
Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in court.
This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.
The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle
Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.
At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP 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 Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.
A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.
Impact on Workers
The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.
Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.
“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”
A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.
