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19 Jan 18. Budget Uncertainty Puts DoD in ‘Difficult Situation,’ Deputy Secretary Says. The uncertainty over government funding is putting the Defense Department workforce in a “difficult situation,” Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said in a memorandum to employees.
“As many of you are aware, funding for the government expires at midnight on January 19, 2018,” Shanahan said in the memo about a potential lapse in funding.
In the notice dated Jan. 18, Shanahan said he and the administration of President Donald J. Trump and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis do not believe a lapse in funding should occur.
“There is more than enough time for Congress to prevent this from happening,” he said, adding the administration is willing to work with Congress to enact a short-term continuing resolution to fund critical federal government operations.
Preparing for All Contingencies
A short-term measure also would allow Congress more time to finalize appropriations for this year, he wrote.
“However, prudent management requires that we continue to prepare for all contingencies, including the possibility that a lapse in appropriations could occur this month,” he said.
He noted Defense officials have consulted with the Office of General Counsel and reviewed and updated the determinations of activities that may continue under these legal requirements.
Updates are being made on the determinations of civilian employees who would work during a shutdown, he said. During a shutdown, all active-duty military personnel would continue in a normal duty status. Personnel would not be paid until Congress provides funding, he explained.
“The uncertainty of the current circumstances puts our workforce in a difficult situation and, should a government shutdown occur, it could impose hardships on many employees, as well as the people whom we serve every day,” Shanahan said.
Official furlough notices would be issued on the next official workday if a shutdown were to occur, he said. (Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter: @FerdinandoDoD)
19 Jan 18. Shutdown Affects Quality of Life, Family Readiness Programs. The government shutdown that began at midnight will affect the operating status of quality of life and family readiness programs offered by the Defense Department to service members and their families, Pentagon officials said.
Operating hours and status may vary at the local installation level, officials said in a statement, adding that addresses and phone numbers for installation and state resources available to active duty, National Guard and reserve service and family members at the Military Installations website.
“We are working with each of the military services to keep as many doors open as possible during the government shutdown,” Julie Blanks, the acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy, said. “We will be operating within the fiscal guidance passed down from senior Defense Department leadership.”
Guidance on Specific Activities
The list below provides guidance as to what to expect regarding the operating status of these programs while the government is shut down:
— Military OneSource: The Military OneSource website and call center will remain fully operational. Military OneSource is a Defense Department-wide program that promotes the quality of life of service members and their families by delivering information, referrals, confidential counseling and other services in person, online and by telephone. The service is available worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost to the user and regardless of the service member’s activation status. Visit their website or call 800-342-9647.
— Child Development Centers: Contact your local CDC or installation for details and guidance.
— Department of Defense Educ