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2w ago

Judge Blocks State Department Layoffs Under Shutdown Law

The judge said Congress’s stopgap spending law plainly bars agencies from using funds for reductions in force through Jan. 30.

United States Department of State logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration created on April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
The State Department building in Washington.
A provision in the spending bill that ended the most recent shutdown barred agencies from taking any step to implement a reduction in force from the day the shutdown began on Oct. 1 through Jan. 30.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a temporary restraining order halting State Department terminations scheduled for Friday.
  • Her order cites Section 120 of the continuing resolution, which prohibits agencies from initiating, carrying out, implementing, or noticing reductions in force until Jan. 30.
  • Illston found the unions are likely to prevail and rejected the administration’s view that pre-shutdown RIFs are exempt.
  • AFGE and AFSA moved to block more than 1,300 planned cuts at State while pursuing broader relief covering Education, Defense, GSA, and SBA.
  • Plaintiffs are also seeking to undo separations already executed during the shutdown, highlighting harms to employees’ health care and overseas postings.