Most Of OK Delegation Keeping Staff At Work
Most Oklahoma lawmakers keep full staff working during first day of shutdown
By Chris Casteel Published: October 2, 2013
WASHINGTON — Nearly all of Oklahoma’s members of Congress kept their full staffs working on the first day of the government shutdown, though some may reassess if the standoff persists.
Only Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, furloughed some of his workers Tuesday. Six full-time workers from the Washington and Oklahoma offices, along with a shared employee, were told to stay home; that represents about 40 percent of his staff.
Donelle Harder, spokeswoman for Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, said, “Currently, the senator’s staff is continuing to work, which includes taking constituent phone calls, letters and emails, and working to reach an agreement that restores government operations and is reflective of what the senator has heard from Oklahomans.
“At this time, the staff is working at the same status as essential federal employees, but should the shutdown continue for several days, each staff’s status will be re-evaluated.”