Saturday, October 05, 2013

Military concerns are come before the health and well being of USA citizens. I completely object to partial funding of the government!

September 30, 2013

Dear TANF and Child Care Officials:

I am writing to provide an update (click here) to you concerning the status of funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the discretionary, mandatory, and federal share of matching portions of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).  Even though these two programs are funded in whole or in part by mandatory funding that is not subject to annual appropriation, this year the mandatory funding for these programs (including the federal share of match for CCDF) expires September 30-- at the same time that appropriations end for discretionary-funded programs.  If legislation extending these programs is not enacted before October 1, 2013, then no additional funding will be available for TANF or CCDF until such time as legislation is enacted. 
The Administration views the potential lapse in funding for TANF and child care funding as very serious matters.  These funds support critical programs for poor and low-income families.  If funding lapses, we are committed to doing all we can to work with states, the District of Columbia (DC), territories, and tribes to ensure that vulnerable families and children have access to needed benefits and services during this period....

...We understand that if federal funding for these programs lapses, it creates budgetary uncertainty and strain for states, territories, and tribes.  We are committed to working with Congress to ensure that funding for TANF and child care is extended.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the federal TANF or child care program manager in your region.
We appreciate the work states, DC, territories, and tribes do to deliver these critical services to vulnerable families and are committed to working with you as these matters are resolved to protect the families we all are committed to serving.

Sincerely,
George H. Sheldon
Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families

This move by Hagel is without Congressional approval, isn't it? At least someone is getting creative.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel answers question aboard the USS Stethem DDG 63 at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, a U.S. Naval base in Yokosuka, outside of Tokyo on Friday Oct. 4, 2013. After speaking to sailors on the guided missile destroyer, Hagel is returning to Washington, completing his trip to South Korea and Japan. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool) 

Pentagon: Most furloughed civilians ordered back (click here)

By ROBERT BURNS
AP National Security Writer
October 5, 2013 
 
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is bringing back to work at least 90 percent of the estimated 350,000 defense civilian employees who were furloughed in the partial government shutdown. The move takes a big bite out of the impact of the political impasse in Washington that has left the government without a budget.

The decision announced Saturday by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is based on a Pentagon interpretation of a law called the Pay Our Military Act. That measure was passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama shortly before the partial government shutdown began Tuesday.
Republican lawmakers had complained in recent days that the Obama administration was slow to bring back those workers even though the law allowed it.

In a written statement explaining his action, Hagel said the Justice Department advised that the law does not permit a blanket recall of all Pentagon civilians. But government attorneys concluded that the law does allow the Pentagon to eliminate furloughs for ‘‘employees whose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members.’’...