🔗 Share this article Administration Reveals Federal Worker Job Cuts as Shutdown Approaches Third Week Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week. Official Announcement and Initial Details Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go. Although Vought did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force. Union Response and Court Actions Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system. “It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE. The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then. During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the lower chamber 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 end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Judicial and Practical Limits Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions. An analysis contended that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began. Consequences for Employees These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but excluding the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month. A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on government workers. This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier said. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.” The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.