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The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and pledged to contest the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.