UPDATE: The federal government has initiated mass layoffs affecting approximately 4,200 employees as a direct result of the ongoing government shutdown. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) disclosed the layoffs in court documents filed late Friday, marking a critical moment as the shutdown enters its second week.
The layoffs span across eight federal agencies, with the Treasury Department hit hardest, losing nearly 1,500 employees, including around 1,300 workers at the IRS. The Health and Human Services Department is also facing significant cuts, with reports indicating layoffs of up to 1,200 employees. This includes dozens of terminations at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), impacting key roles such as 70 Epidemic Intelligence Service officers who play vital roles in public health.
The Department of Homeland Security has informed 176 employees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) about their impending layoffs. Other agencies affected include Education (446), Housing and Urban Development (442), Commerce (315), Energy (187), and the Environmental Protection Agency (20-30).
The layoffs come after President Donald Trump declared the shutdown a necessary measure, blaming the Democratic Party for the crisis. Trump stated on Friday that his administration is using the shutdown to “lay off people that the Democrats want,” escalating tensions in an already charged political environment.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents around 800,000 federal workers, has filed a motion to block these layoffs, arguing that the OMB lacks the authority to conduct them under the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits incurring new expenses during a shutdown. The union contends that the layoffs violate federal law and have significant repercussions for the public service workforce.
According to guidance from federal officials, the layoffs are anticipated to take effect in 30 to 60 days, meaning affected employees may still have a brief window to respond or seek recourse. Further layoffs are expected, an unnamed senior administration official confirmed to the Washington Post.
The government entered shutdown mode on October 1, 2023, when Congress failed to agree on a new spending plan. Currently, the shutdown is projected to continue until at least Tuesday, when the Senate is scheduled to vote. However, no significant negotiations between Republicans and Democrats are on the horizon, suggesting a prolonged deadlock.
As the situation develops, the broader implications of these layoffs raise concerns about the stability of federal services and the lives of countless workers affected. With the shutdown now impacting thousands, the urgency for resolution is more critical than ever.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation evolves and more information becomes available.
