Arlington National Cemetery employees exempt from furloughs, not sequestration-related budget cuts

By Jennifer Lynch, Public Affairs OfficeMarch 14, 2013

Arlington National Cemetery
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ARLINGTON, Va. (March 13, 2013) -- The Executive Director of the Army National Military Cemeteries announced in a hearing today that most of Arlington National Cemetery civilian employees will be exempt from defense-related furloughs for fiscal year 2013.

Kathryn A. Condon testified before the House Appropriations' Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and related agencies to provide an update on the progress made to date at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as provide an update on impacts sequestration will have at the cemetery.

"As with most federal organizations, Arlington is facing significant fiscal uncertainties from the combined acts of the current continuing resolution and sequestration designated in the Budget Control Act of 2011," said Condon.

On March 4, the Secretary of the Army exempted all Arlington personnel paid from the Cemeterial, Expense Army appropriation, from furloughs. Arlington National Cemetery previously reported that if furloughs were enacted, approximately 160 fewer funerals would occur each month at the cemetery.

Arlington National Cemetery will continue to be subject to sequestration and related funding cuts.

The President's fiscal year 2013 Budget request for Arlington National Cemetery was $173.8 million. In the event that the federal government continues to operate for a full year under a continuing resolution, Arlington's budget for fiscal year 201 would be reduced to $45.8 million.

"Operating under a [Continuing Resolution] would eliminate the $103 million for expansion projects which would extend Arlington's ability to bury our veterans, and the $25 million for critical infrastructure restoration and modernization," said Condon.

Due to sequestration, Arlington National Cemetery funding is being reduced by five percent of its fiscal year 2013 continuing resolution level. Arlington is absorbing this cut by using the last of the funds that were recovered from previous fiscal years.

"Despite the challenges that further sequestration funding guidance and the Continuing Resolution present, we can assure the nation of this: burial services at Arlington will continue to be conducted with honor and dignity," said Condon.

Arlington National Cemetery is committed to honoring the legacy of our fallen heroes, veterans and their families through dignified military burial and inurnment services. The work that Arlington is undertaking today will further enable the cemetery to be a place for people to Honor, Remember and Explore this Nation's rich history well into the future.

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