Budget

Intelligence Community free from furloughs

In an email to employees, Director James Clapper said that he does not envision furloughs for feds that fall under the National Intelligence Program.

Federal News Network Staff

May 15, 2013 6:17 pm

1 min read

By Lauren Larson
Federal News Radio

Intelligence Community employees funded under the National Intelligence Program will not be subject to furloughs, according to James Clapper, director of National intelligence. Clapper made the announcement in an email message sent to the entire Intelligence Community workforce and obtained by Federal News Radio.

In his email, Clapper pointed to leaders in the Intelligence Community saying the decision came as a result of their efforts to develop strategies to minimize furloughs.

The news comes just one day after Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced DoD civilian furloughs would be reduced from 14 to 11 days.

Clapper voiced support for Hagel’s efforts to further reduce the number of furlough days imposed on DoD civilian employees, in particular those under the Military Intelligence Program and the Information Systems Security Program. He also thanked the community for their patience, professionalism and focus.

Clapper also acknowledged the ongoing challenge of sequestration on the Intelligence Community.

“Over time, the significant impact of these cuts will force us to prioritize our intelligence activities with increasingly limited resources. During these challenging times, when the array of threats we face is so vast, we need every intelligence professional focused on our mission.”

The Intelligence Community is made up of 17 different agencies.