Administration Reveals Federal Worker Layoffs as Shutdown Approaches Three-Week Mark
Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.
Formal Statement and Early Information
Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.
While Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.
Labor Reaction and Court Actions
Labor representatives cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.
“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.
The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Political Standoff and Funding Battle
Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains 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 deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.
During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.
“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”
Legal and Operational Constraints
Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.
A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.
Consequences for Employees
These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the month.
A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.
“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”
The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.