Administration Announces Federal Worker Job Cuts as Shutdown Approaches Three-Week Mark
The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.
Formal Statement and Initial Details
The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.
Although the official provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.
Labor Reaction and Court Actions
Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.
This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.
The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Political Standoff and Budget Dispute
Lawmakers from the Democratic party 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 adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved soon.
During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.
Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.
An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.
Impact on Workers
The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but not the start 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 federal employees.
“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”
A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.
