White House Announces Government Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Approaches Third Week
The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.
Official Announcement and Early Information
Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.
Although Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.
Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges
Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in the legal system.
“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.
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
Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.
At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.
“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”
Legal and Operational Constraints
Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.
A report contended that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.
Impact on Workers
The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the end of September but not the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the start of the month.
A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.
This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”
A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.