SPECIAL REPORT

The Threat of Sequestration

As Congress and the White House wrangle over long-term fiscal issues, the prospect looms of automatic, across the board cuts in discretionary federal spending -- a process known as sequestration. Check back to this page often for the latest updates on how the situation is unfolding.
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SPECIAL REPORT
Education Secretary Arne Duncan recently said furloughs would be unnecessary at his department, after threatening them in February.

The Furloughs That Never Came

4:49 PM ET Few agencies followed through on warnings of forced unpaid leave.

Fleet Week in New York was canceled this year due to the cuts.

Defense Cuts Are Squeezing Programs

4:11 PM ET Commissary closings will affect thousands of civilians and service members.

The control tower stands in the background as a passenger paces while on the phone outside the international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson airport.

Unions Want FAA to Make Up for Unnecessary Furloughs

May 17 Grievances ask for paid time off in compensation for the days employees were on forced leave.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., urged Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in a floor speech Thursday to reconsider civilian furloughs for Department of Defense Education Activity teachers.

Lawmakers Fight Defense Furlough Plan

May 16 Hagel urged to use flexibility to protect civilian workforce.

FBI Director Robert Mueller testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

FBI Faces Furloughs in 2014

May 16 Furloughs would 'impact safety and security' of the nation, director tells lawmakers.

Air traffic controllers will be among those furloughed.

Furlough Watch: Agency-by-Agency Impacts of Sequestration

May 16 Some agencies are avoiding unpaid leave altogether, while others require days of it.

IRS Announces Furlough Details

May 15 Five furlough dates set, more may be added later.

Next Year’s Defense Furlough Prospects Uncertain

May 15 Officials aim to avoid unpaid leave in 2014, but ‘can’t know the future fully.’

Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, was among those signing the letter.

A Fresh Look at Sequester Harms From House Democrats

May 15 Appropriators warn of long-term shortfalls in airport modernization, Coast Guard training, food inspection.

Hagel Presents New Defense Furlough Plan; More Tweaks Possible

May 14 ‘We’ve got to be fair,’ Defense secretary says.

Vice Adm. Mark D. Harnitchek speaking at an event in May, 2011

Defense Agency Will Use Sequester, Other Cuts to Make Big Changes

May 13 DLA director will use innovative ideas to cut $10 billion over five years.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Still No Word on Defense Furloughs

May 13 Navy seeks to exempt public shipyard workers from unpaid leave, official says.

FAA No Longer Needs to Close 149 Contract Towers

May 10 Recently signed law will allow funds to be shifted so the towers can stay open through September

The National Weather Service tracking of Hurricane Sandy

Lawmaker tells Commerce to Avoid National Weather Service Furloughs

May 10 Reversing the cuts would mitigate 'adverse' impacts to safety, Democrat says.

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter

Deputy Defense Chief Renews Call for BRAC, Military Pay Cuts

May 7 Carter says 'strategic transition' should include civilian workforce trim of 5 percent.

Reimbursement for Furloughed FAA Workers?

May 7 Employees at FAA could receive extra leave to compensate for unnecessary furloughs.

Hot Summer in Store for State Employees

May 7 State Department will raise the temperatures to cut spending.

Defense Contract Awards Down 52 Percent in April

May 7 Sequestration is weighing heavily on acquisition managers, consultant says.

Spending Law Restores $5 Billion to Sequestered Agencies, White House Says

May 6 Some accounts were cut too low, meaning funds were automatically restored.