FederalDaily - November 19, 2007
Gates: Funding Lapse Could Spark Furloughs, Closings
Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Nov. 15 warned that unless Congress passes an emergency Iraq funding
bill that the president will sign, as many as 100,000 civilian military employees could face furloughs.
Gates was responding to a bill passed by the House the previous day that would appropriate $50 billion
for the Iraq War—much less than the $200 billion sought by President Bush. The Senate later voted
down the bill, which contained deadlines for troop withdrawals, on Nov. 16. Bush had promised a veto
if it reached his desk. Restrictions on DoD’s budget mean it can transfer only $3.7 billion,
Gates said, leaving the department with no alternative but to consider furloughs and closures. “The
military would cease operations at all Army bases by mid-February next year,” Gates said. “This
would result in the furloughing of about 100,000 government employees and a like number of contractor
employees at Army bases. These layoffs would have a cascading effect on depots and procurement.” To
see more, go to: www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48159.
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CHCO Adopts 2008 Human Capital Plan
The Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council approved a federal work force plan for 2008 that includes
expanding telework options, improving recruiting and seeking ways to enhance the development of federal
employees. The plan would also encourage the CHCO Council to partner with the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) in developing a means to address human capital challenges and share best practices, said OPM
Director Linda Springer, who leads the council. Springer said on Nov. 14 that the council’s six
subcommittees provided recommendations for a variety of human capital initiatives to OPM. Challenges
abound because, according to the latest estimates, the government faces a wave of possible exits over
the next 10 years, during which about 60 percent of all federal workers and 90 percent of senior executives
will become retirement eligible. To see more, go to: www.opm.gov/news/chco-council-adopts-subcommittee-strategic-plans,1340.aspx.
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Senate Confirms Fore as new USAID Head
The Senate last week confirmed Henrietta H. Fore as the new administrator of the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID). Fore had served as acting administrator of the agency since May 7 following the
resignation of Randall Tobias. She also concurrently assumes the position of director of U.S. Foreign
Assistance. Fore, the first female administrator of USAID, is responsible for managing U.S. foreign
assistance and overseeing a staff of approximately 8,000—about 75 percent of whom are working
overseas in USAID field offices. Prior to this appointment, Fore served as the undersecretary for management
at the State Department. To see more go to: www.usaid.gov.
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