Administration Reveals Federal Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Approaches Third Week
The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.
Formal Statement and Early Information
Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.
While Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.
Union Response and Court Actions
Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system.
This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated 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
Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.
At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.
Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.
An analysis contended that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.
Impact on Workers
The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the end of September but excluding the beginning of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.
Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.
“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government running,” Stier said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”
A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.
