House votes to prohibit civilian DOD furloughs in 2014

Supporters of the proposal criticized the Obama administration for failing to come up with a more logical answer to the sequester, instead of forcing thousands of civilian workers to be furloughed for several days in 2013. Members have argued for months that this solution was not a smart cut to federal spending, and have accused President Obama of using furloughs to put pressure on Republicans to agree to tax hikes.

{mosads}Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-Ind.) argued Tuesday night that the House should oppose the language because civilian defense workers should not be given a preference over other federal workers furloughed because of the sequester. But Visclosky did not call for a recorded vote, and the measure was approved.

The House resolved several other amendments to the spending bill, H.R. 2397, before finishing work in the early morning hours of Wednesday. Those amendments were from:

— John Kline (R-Minn.), prohibiting funding to carry out Defense Department recruitment policies in contravention of congressional intent in the 2012 NDAA. Accepted in a voice vote.

— Lamborn, prohibiting funding to conduct an environmental impact study on inter-continental ballistic missiles. Accepted in voice vote.

— Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), prohibiting the use of funds to pay salaries of recess appointees until they are confirmed by the Senate. Accepted in voice vote.

— Steve Palazzo (R-Miss.), preventing funds from being used to rebase any aircraft until 60 days after the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force has submitted a report as required under the 2013 NDAA. Rejected in voice vote.

— Palazzo, preventing funds from being used to furlough Dual Status Military Technicians. Accepted in voice vote.

— Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), prohibiting the use of funds to carry out reductions to the nuclear forces of the United States to implement the New START Treaty. Accepted in voice vote.

— Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), prohibits any funds in the bill from being provided to Pakistan. Rejected in voice vote.

— Mike Turner (R-Ohio), preventing funds from being used to reduce strategic delivery systems and ensures the President complies with the Arms Control and Disarmament Act. Accepted in voice vote.

— Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii), prohibiting funds to implement an enrollment fee in the TRICARE for Life program. Accepted in voice vote.