Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine described the announced job cuts as “arbitrary” and expressed her strong opposition to the White House’s decision to lay off hundreds of furloughed federal workers.
“I firmly oppose [Office of Management and Budget] Secretary Russ Vought’s plan to permanently terminate federal employees who were furloughed during Senator Schumer’s completely unnecessary government shutdown,” Collins mentioned in a statement available on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s website.
Vought revealed that layoffs at federal agencies would start on Friday, just 10 days after the onset of the shutdown, as the political standoff over government funding and health care continues between Republicans and Democrats.
The shutdown led to many federal workers being either furloughed or working without pay, which is a typical outcome during such events. However, the White House’s threat of major layoffs was somewhat unusual, intended to pressure Democrats into agreeing on a continuing resolution. Democrats, on the other hand, are standing firm and claim that the layoffs are unlawful.
A continuing resolution to fund the government passed in the House but failed in the Senate, where Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rallied the majority of Democrats against the bill unless Republicans consent to extend Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the year’s end.
In her statement, Collins emphasized that the roles of both furloughed and unpaid federal workers are vital for serving the nation.
“Arbitrary layoffs will lead to inadequate staffing essential for fulfilling agency missions and delivering critical programs, adversely impacting families in Maine and throughout the country,” she added.
Collins has a history of opposing several initiatives from the Trump administration. She was one of the few Democrats who voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and also rejected efforts to repeal measures designed to restore funds already allocated by Congress.
She has criticized several Cabinet nominees from President Trump, notably including FBI Director Kash Patel.
Friday’s layoffs are anticipated to impact various agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, and Department of Housing and Urban Development.
