White House Reveals Federal Worker Job Cuts as Funding Gap Approaches Three-Week Mark
The White House disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.
Official Announcement and Initial Details
Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.
While the official provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.
Union Response and Court Actions
Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.
“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.
The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute
Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.
At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.
Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Previously, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.
A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.
Impact on Workers
These terminations occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.
A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.
This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” Stier said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”
The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.