SENATOR SHAHEEN RESPONDS TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ANNOUNCING DECISION TO DELAY FURLOUGH NOTICES

(Washington, DC) - Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement responding to the Defense Department announcing that it has decided to delay sending furlough notices to civilian employees by two weeks:

“I’m encouraged by this news and am hopeful that the Pentagon now has the flexibility in its budget to blunt at least some of the impact the automatic budget cuts  will have on civilian employees. Ultimately, we still need a long term, balanced plan to address our debt and deficits in a responsible way that protects our economic and national security interests. I will continue to push for that kind of solution.”  

The Defense Department announced it would use this additional time to analyze the impact the Continuing Resolution, which was passed by the Senate yesterday and the House today, could potentially have on furloughs as it grants the Department more flexibility in its budget. Shaheen voted for the legislation and it cleared the Senate with strong, bipartisan support, 73-26.