White House Announces Federal Employee Job Cuts as Shutdown Approaches Three-Week Mark
The White House disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.
Official Announcement and Early Information
Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.
Although Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.
Union Response and Legal Challenges
Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.
“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.
The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle
Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.
During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.
Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.
A report contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.
Consequences for Employees
These terminations occurred on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the month.
A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect 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 open and operational,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”
The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.
