🔗 Share this article White House Announces Federal Employee Job Cuts as Shutdown Approaches Third Week The White House confirmed the initiation of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week. Formal Statement and Initial Details Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s process for letting employees go. While Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force. Labor Reaction and Court Actions Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and pledged to contest the actions in court. This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE. The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Political Standoff and Funding Battle Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon. At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis. Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Legal and Operational Constraints Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions. An analysis contended that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired. Impact on Workers The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period. Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers. “It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.” The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.