The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.
Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.
While Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.
Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.
This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.
The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”
Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then.
During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.
Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”
Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.
A report contended that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.
These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.
A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers.
“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”
The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.
Elena Hartwell is a multidisciplinary artist and educator passionate about fostering creative communities in London.