🔗 Share this article Administration Reveals Government Worker Job Cuts as Funding Gap Nears Third Week Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week. Official Announcement and Initial Details The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff. Although the official did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force. Union Response and Legal Challenges Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system. This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees. The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then. At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote. “This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.” Judicial and Practical Limits Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs. An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired. Impact on Workers The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month. A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees. This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.” The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.