White House Announces Federal Employee Job Cuts as Shutdown Nears Third Week
The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.
Formal Statement and Initial Details
Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.
While the official did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.
Union Response and Legal Challenges
Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.
“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities across the country,” 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.”
Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle
Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then.
During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.
“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.
A report argued that a government shutdown limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.
Consequences for Employees
These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but not the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.
Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.
This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”
A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.
