Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says he’s sending a message of solidarity to his furloughed workers and giving back part of his salary.
Pentagon workers face 14 days of furloughs, but Mr. Hagel — as a political appointee — is exempt. Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a Politico report, however, that Mr. Hagel, who earns about $200,000 a year, wants to send a strong message to his workers.
“The secretary plans to subject his pay to furlough levels even though he is not required to because he is a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed official in this department,” Mr. Little said, in the Politico report.
Defense Department officials still haven’t announced who in the civilian sector are to be exempt, too, Politico says.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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