Subject:.......... 100 – Sequestration Update

On March 1, sequestration took effect, and on March 26, TSA’s FY13 budget was enacted. I want to make sure we continue to provide you information about the combined impact on TSA.

As I wrote in a TSA-wide March 7 email broadcast, our guiding principle is mission first and we will continue to focus on our three goals of risk-based security, employee engagement, and organizational efficiencies. Together we can achieve our goals, and to ensure our success, I am asking that everyone adhere to the following guidelines during sequestration.

Most recently, Security Operations directed airports to limit or freeze hiring of TSOs in order to reduce spending to achieve budget levels to operate within our budget as adjusted for the sequestration. Airports have different levels of attrition that will determine their hiring needs and this approach provides more operational flexibility than a nationwide hiring freeze. Personnel levels at each airport are being monitored to best maintain operational capabilities at budget levels.

Making necessary adjustments to manage our budgeted level is something we do every year, but this year with the sequestration it has been particularly challenging. Other programs may take similar actions to live within their budget. While furloughs are not currently in effect, if circumstances change and furloughs are required, impacted employees will be provided notification 30 days prior to the effective date of the furlough.

In addition, as a reminder, only travel that is considered mission critical and approved by the Assistant Administrators (the top officials for TSA’s 18 Offices) will be allowed. Mission critical travel is travel associated with security operations such as Federal Air Marshal missions, security operations at the airports, and responding to natural disasters. Travel related to training is not deemed to be mission critical unless the appropriate Assistant Administrator determines that the training is directly related to security operations. All waivers to this restriction must be submitted to and approved by the Assistant Administrator.

Also, as indicated in early March, we have canceled previously approved conferences, meetings that require travel, and training conferences. Likewise, all new conferences have been suspended.

Bonus actions, including performance bonuses, special act awards, and on-the-spot awards, that were not processed by February 28, 2013, have been suspended. Time off awards are still permitted under heightened scrutiny, but are frozen at 2010 levels.

Thank you for your hard work and service to our nation and your commitment to the safety of the traveling public.