Hoyer Statement on Meeting with Pax River Federal Employees

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement today following a meeting with federal employees at Patuxent River Naval Air Station:

“Today, I met with federal employees at Pax River to discuss the need to replace the irrational policy of sequester and end the furloughs that 46,000 civilian defense workers at Pax River and at military installations across Maryland are facing. I wanted to take the opportunity to hear firsthand how these furloughs have already begun to impact morale at Pax River and the lives of these hardworking, dedicated public servants who support our uniformed personnel and enhance the security and well-being of our country. It is deeply disappointing that they will begin to experience furloughs next week as a result of Congress’ failure to end sequestration.

“Federal employees have already contributed $114 billion towards deficit reduction through freezes to cost-of-living adjustments and changes to retirement benefits, and they do not deserve this additional pay reduction. These furloughs threaten our local economy, as well as the mission of Pax River and other defense installations in our state and across the country.

"With a little over a week until furloughs begin, Congress ought to be working to reach an agreement to replace the sequester with a balanced package of smart, targeted spending cuts and revenues. For the sake of our nation’s defense and working families in our community, I continue to urge my colleagues to reach a bipartisan solution."