The federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, has entered a critical phase as layoffs of government employees commence amid ongoing congressional deadlock. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought confirmed the reductions-in-force (RIFs), stating, “The RIFs have begun,” signaling significant job cuts across federal agencies.
Federal workers and active-duty military personnel are already facing missed paychecks, with air traffic controller shortages causing flight delays and raising concerns over national security. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) highlighted the financial strain, noting that October 15 payrolls for service members could be affected. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) warned of escalating consequences, stating, “The American people are going to miss a lot more and feel a lot more pain in the very near future.”
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced plans to furlough nearly half its workforce, threatening tax filing delays and backlogs. While most affected employees may receive back pay, the timeline for such payments remains unclear. Essential workers, including air traffic controllers, continue to perform their duties without compensation. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) mentioned that President Trump is exploring options to ensure military personnel are paid during the shutdown, though no legislative action has been taken.
With the House out of session and Senate negotiations stalled, Republicans have floated potential rule changes to break the impasse, including eliminating the Senate filibuster. The standoff shows no immediate resolution, leaving thousands of federal employees in limbo as the crisis deepens.
