Administration Announces Federal Employee Layoffs as Funding Gap Nears Third Week
Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.
Official Announcement and Early Information
Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s process for letting employees go.
Although the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.
Labor Reaction and Court Actions
Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.
This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.
The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute
Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. 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.
At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting 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 Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”
Legal and Operational Constraints
Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.
An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.
Impact on Workers
These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.
Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.
This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”
The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.
