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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the start of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.