Lankford Disappointed in Defense Department Plans to Furlough Workers

May 14, 2013

Lankford Disappointed in Defense Department Plans to Furlough Workers

Washington, D.C.—Representative James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement after Defense Secretary Hagel announced today that the Department would be moving forward with employee furloughs. Secretary Hagel announced that 11-day employee furloughs will begin July 8 and end at the completion of the fiscal year on September 30, 2013.

“I am disappointed that Secretary Hagel and his administrators were unable to find places to make cuts that do not harm workers,” Lankford said.

“The Defense Department is extremely adept at being prepared, meeting deadlines and implementing fall-back plans, so I am puzzled as to why the Department found it unavoidable to cut workers instead of waste. Other agencies like FAA, TSA and DHS have found ways—or sought congressional affirmation that they have the flexibility—to make cuts to wasteful administrative costs, not employees with families to support. Congress gave the Department greater funding flexibility through the continuing resolution we passed in March, and my colleagues in the House stand ready to assist the Department, if need be. I will continue to seek clarity about the federal employment situation going forward for our federal employees in the Fifth District,” concluded Lankford.

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Contact: Kelly Ferguson