Van Hollen Statement on the Sequester’s Impact on the FBI

Washington, DC – Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement after reports that the FBI will shut down its headquarters and offices across the country for roughly 10 weekdays over the next year in order to comply with the budget cuts as part of the sequester:

“It was not that long ago that the FBI was working overtime in the aftermath of the Boston bombing. Now, the furloughs at the FBI are the latest example of the irresponsible impact of the sequester. By refusing to replace these deep cuts, House Republicans continue to put their political ideology ahead of our law enforcement requirements and other essential priorities. House Democrats have offered a clear and specific plan to end this fiscal madness and staunch this self-inflicted wound that will result in almost 1 million fewer jobs by this time next year. We are simply asking the House Republicans to allow a vote on this plan next week so that Members of Congress can be held accountable for their choices.”