Senate Approves Solobay Effort to Prevent Military Furloughs

State Sen. Tim Solobay’s resolution calling on Congress and President Obama to exempt National Guard technicians from sequestration-related furloughs passed the Senate last week.

“When the Department of Defense exempted uniform personnel from sequestration, they did not include the approximate 53,000 National Guard Technicians nationwide,” Solobay, D-Canonsburg, said in remarks on the Senate floor. “It is critical that the PA National Guard maintain training and readiness to ensure that the National Guard is ready to answer the call when needed for domestic operations.”

About 1,800 Pennsylvania National Guard technicians may be subject to furlough as a result of the federal budget sequestration. 

Technicians are considered federal civilian employees who wear the uniform and are full-time employees of the Guard. They do work such as repairing aircrafts and vehicles.

The technicians are critical to mission readiness, according to Major General Wesley Craig, Pennsylvania's adjutant general. 

“Congress has to put partisanship aside to protect public safety and military readiness,” Solobay said. “There are no excuses for letting our guard down.”

Senate Resolution 104 urges Congress to approve a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo of Mississippi that would amend the sequestration law to widen exemptions to the sequestration. 

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