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The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.