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

Many Federal Employees Are Facing Second Set of Furloughs in Six-Month Span

September 30 A potential government shutdown will hit many of the same workers as sequestration with unpaid leave.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus

Navy Chief: Sequester Threatens to Undo Four Years of Progress

September 26 Mabus warns industry group that ships are sailing less, pilots flying less.

Analysis: The Sequester Is a Disaster, and Congress's Next Move May Be Worse

September 19 From national parks to medical research, cuts are undermining what makes America great. Yet Republicans seem set on shutting down the government or even default.

Pentagon Should Set Priorities for Industrial Base, Says Analyst

September 17 Budget cuts without planning risk loss of vital contractor capability.

Report Says Budget Cuts Led to Security Lapses at Navy Yard

September 17 Convicted felons received unauthorized installation access, audit finds.

Obama Dares Republicans to Defy Tea Party on Obamacare, Shutdown Deal

September 17 President asks moderates to help pass a budget compromise and debt-ceiling increase.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced the cuts in July.

Bipartisan Letter Suggests Pentagon Include Contractors in Staff Cuts

September 13 Lawmakers advise the Defense secretary to review all options before slashing the headquarters workforce by 20 percent.

In late 1995, the Lincoln Memorial was closed due to a government shutdown.

Timeline: When to Expect a Possible Shutdown, and Other Key Fiscal Deadlines

September 13 Congress faces battles over appropriations, the debt ceiling and round two of the sequester.

FBI Director James Comey

FBI Plans 10 Furlough Days for 2014

September 13 New director has vowed to raise awareness of sequestration’s impact.

Sequester and Budget Stalemate Worry Backers of Air Traffic Modernization

September 13 Short-term FAA funding cuts put long-term airport improvements at risk.

National Intelligence Director James Clapper

Sequester Forces Intel Agencies to Take More Risks, Chief Says

September 12 Automatic cuts' effect on intelligence-gathering won’t be obvious right away, Clapper warns.

What (or Who) Is 'Responsible' in Today's Fiscal Reality?

September 12 Senators and experts play the blame game ahead of looming budget talks.

Congressional Leaders Meet as Fiscal Fights Loom Large

September 12 A potential government shutdown and national default hang in the balance.

So Many Bosses, But Who’s Doing the Real Work?

September 11 Smart staffing can boost efficiency and morale in a tight budget landscape.

A Postal Service employee holds a 2010 census form.

Census Bureau Struggles With Sequester and Pressure to Cut Costs

September 11 House members voice privacy concerns in move toward interagency records sharing.

Independent Agency Makes Headway on Furlough Appeals

September 11 MSPB begins to consolidate and adjudicate record number of appeals.

Defense Audit Agency Says Sequester Caused It to Leave Money on the Table

September 9 $11 million cut in auditing budget cost $74 million in excess contractor payments, DCAA says.

Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla.

How Syria Will Affect the Sequester Fight

September 5 Republicans say we're starving the military of necessary funds; others are less convinced.

Another Year of Sequester Will Hamstring Workplace Safety, Study Says

August 29 Think tank blasts cuts that force OSHA to reduce health inspections.

Thousands of Civilian Medical Staffers Leave Defense Amid Furloughs

August 28 Doctors and nurses quit DoD in favor of VA, other positions.