"The White House's argument that agencies are no longer required to carry out certain programs during a shutdown is incorrect, San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said, and the administration did not have the authority to order cuts at specific agencies. Illston's preliminary injunction will prevent both new RIFs from being issued and pause any implementation of the roughly 4,000 layoffs that agencies have already ordered."
"The judge said she would clarify the exact scope of the order later on Tuesday in writing, but added in essence federal agencies "are enjoined from issuing any more RIF notices." Michael Velchik, a Justice Department attorney arguing on behalf of the administration, asked that cuts in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Interior Department not be included in the order as those layoffs were underway long before the shutdown commenced."
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from implementing or issuing further RIFs tied to the government shutdown. The judge found the administration's claim that agencies can stop carrying out certain programs during a shutdown to be incorrect and concluded the administration lacked authority to order targeted cuts. The injunction pauses roughly 4,000 planned layoffs and prevents new layoff notices. The court will later clarify the order's exact scope and may hold an evidentiary hearing on whether ongoing USPS and Interior Department cuts should be excluded. Unions and advocacy groups are litigating on behalf of affected civil servants.
Read at Nextgov.com
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