The US Government Will Lay Off Federal Employees If Shutdown Continues

JAKARTA - The closure of the United States (US) government entered its first day on Wednesday (1/10) local time, marked by a warning from White House Budget Head Russell Vought to Republicans in the House of Representatives.

He said the layoffs of federal employees would begin in the next one to two days, according to two GOP sources who took part in the online conference.

At the close of the previous administration, federal employees were usually temporarily laid off (furlough) instead of being dismissed. However, this time's layoff plan sparked legal questions from trade unions and the Democratic Party regarding the legality of the policy.

Last week, Vought had circulated a memo warning of a potential massive reduction in federal labor in the event of a government shutdown.

Although he did not specify the number of employees who would be affected, he said the move had to be taken because the Democratic Party was considered to force the government to act.

Shortly after, Vice President JD Vance said at a press conference at the White House that layoffs would soon be carried out if the closure lasted longer.

He emphasized that this step was not desirable, but it was necessary to keep important services for the community running.

Vance also denied accusations that the Trump administration was targeting federal employees for political reasons. According to him, the government is focused on keeping as many essential services as possible functional.

In the same memo, Vought stressed that government agencies must issue a notification of reduced labor to all employees in programs, projects, or activities whose funding has expired since Wednesday due to shutdowns, especially those deemed inconsistent with the President's priorities.

Reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, October 2, in a virtual call on Wednesday, Vought also reminded that the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program is at risk of running out of funds next week if the government remains closed.

The WIC National Association representing members at the state and local levels ensures that funds are likely exhausted in the next one to two weeks.

The discussions also included issues of military funding that were stalled along with salaries of federal employees, as well as national park operations that were only partially opened.

Responding to the threat of layoffs, the chairman of the Democratic Faction in the DPR, Hakeem Jeffries, said the government would still lay off employees with or without shutdowns.

He called the Republican Party deliberately creating suffering as part of their political ideology.

On the other hand, the Senate has again rejected two draft budgets, both from Democrats and Republicans, for the second time in a day.

Despite controlling a majority of 53'47, Republicans still need bipartisan support to pass funding legislation.