Suhas Subramanyam Vows Legal Action Over Federal Firings During Shutdown

India-West Staff Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a fiery news conference outside the Office of Management and Budget on October 14, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) joined a lineup of Maryland and Virginia lawmakers to condemn what they called the Trump administration’s “illegal mass firing of federal employees” during the ongoing Republican-led government shutdown.

Flanked by Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Mark Warner, as well as Reps. Steny Hoyer, Don Beyer, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, and others, Subramanyam directed his message squarely at the administration and OMB Director Russ Vought, warning of legal consequences if the dismissals and withholding of back pay continued.

“When you attack federal workers and contractors, you hurt every single American,” Subramanyam said. “If you continue to fire federal workers during a shutdown, we will see you in court.”

The Virginia congressman, whose district includes thousands of federal employees and contractors, accused Republican leaders of hypocrisy for claiming to support public servants and veterans while allowing mass layoffs and benefit disruptions.

“Actions speak louder than words,” he said. “They say they care about veterans, parents, and children, yet they attack programs that serve them and fire the people who keep them running.”

The shutdown—now entering its third week—has left thousands without pay and disrupted key government services. Lawmakers at the press conference, including Rep. Beyer and Sen. Warner, emphasized the urgent need to reopen the government and address healthcare cost spikes facing Virginians.