Defense secretary tries to ease employee fears about potential cuts
By Larry Shaughnessy
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta sent a memo this week to all the troops and civilians who work for him to address concerns about the mandatory spending cuts that would occur if the president and lawmakers do not reach a budget agreement by the end of the year.
In it, Panetta wrote that if the procedure, known as sequestration, were to occur, it "would not necessarily require immediate reductions in spending."
He also wrote that "under sequestration, we would still have funds available after Jan. 2, 2013, but our overall funding for the remainder of the year would be reduced."
It's a very different spin on the sequestration from Panetta, who in the past said it would be a "disaster." If this "meat ax" approach to budget cutting were used, he said, it would "hollow out the force."
The cuts are slated to be across the board, totaling roughly $500 billion over 10 years.
Panetta tried to reassure the troops that "the president indicated his intent to exercise his legal authority to exempt military personnel" from the mandatory cuts.
But he couldn't make the same promise to the Defense Department's million or so civilian employees.
Instead he said, "Should we have to operate under reduced funding levels for an extended period of time, we may have to consider furloughs or other actions in the future."
Asked about the change of tone, a senior defense official said, "The secretary continues to believe that sequestration would be devastating and is puzzled that Congress can't reach a deal."
The same official said the memo reflects the Office of Management and Budget's view of the issue, especially with respect to furloughs.
Panetta wrapped up the memo by writing, "I want to assure you that we will do our very best to provide clear information about the status of events as they unfold."
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
cialis onine cialis online australia best price cialis 20mg
what is better viagra or cialis or levitra?? how to order cialis viamedic cialis
walmart pharmacy price check river pharmacy canada reviews flintridge pharmacy la canada
lowest price cialis how to get doctor to prescribe cialis reliable source cialis
cialis online without pres generic of cialis lowest price on cialis 200 mg
cialis with dapoxetine cialis prescription assistance program discount cialis 20mg
15 rx pharmacy san antonio canadian pharmacies recommended by aarp Stromectol
different doses of cialis when to take cialis which is better cialis or viagra?
legitscript canadian pharmacy mexican online pharmacies online drugstore pharmacy
canadian pharmacy cialis reviews universal pharmacy canada what drugs are legal in canada
cipla cialis cialis low price cialis tablets
cialis black without prescription cialis bathtub commercial buy cialis cheap
cialis 10mg ireland cialis canadian pharmacy ezzz cialis australia
health partners online pharmacy online pharmacy overnight delivery pharmacy rx symbol
cialisprofessional cheapest cialis tadalafil 20 mg cialis in melbourne australia
rite aid pharmacy store closings silk road online pharmacy shop cvs pharmacy online
cialis black 800 to buy in the uk one pill buy cialis tadalafil buy cialis online free shipping
cialis shop in australia u.s. pharmacy prices for cialis levitra vs viagra vs cialis
cialis to buy cialis vs tadalafil cialis usa pharmacy
store hours for rite aid pharmacy in calhoun ky accredited online pharmacy schools canada medication pharmacy
cialis with dapoxetine uk canadianmed cialis cialis asia
cheap cialis canada pharmacy canadian vet pharmacy online discount pharmacy
ebay cialis cialis online without a prescription does cialis delay ejaculation
canadian pharmacies reviews rx price comparison safe online pharmacy