🔗 Share this article White House Announces Government Worker Job Cuts as Funding Gap Nears Three-Week Mark The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week. Formal Statement and Early Information The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go. Although the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force. Labor Reaction and Court Actions Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in court. “It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees. The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended before then. At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis. Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.” Legal and Operational Constraints Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs. An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began. Impact on Workers The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the start of the period. A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on federal employees. “It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.” The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.