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Saturday, February 12, 2011

Impact of continued resolution

Anonymous asked:

Has anyone found out anything specific on how the proposed continuing resolution language will affect LANL or LLNL?

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

From House.gov
February 9th, 2011 - -
CR Spending Cuts to Go Deep

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers today announced a partial list of 70 spending cuts that will be included in an upcoming Continuing Resolution (CR) bill. The CR legislation will fund the federal government for the seven months remaining in the fiscal year and prevent a government wide shut-down, while significantly reducing the massive increases in discretionary spending enacted in the last several years by a Democrat majority. A full list of program cuts will be released when the bill is formally introduced.

The total spending cuts in the CR will exceed $74 billion, including $58 billion in non-security discretionary spending reductions.

The List of 70 Spending Cuts to be Included in the CR follows:

· Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies -$30M
· Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy -$899M
· Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability -$49M
· Nuclear Energy -$169M
· Fossil Energy Research -$31M
· Clean Coal Technology -$18M
· Strategic Petroleum Reserve -$15M
· Energy Information Administration -$34M
· Office of Science -$1.1B
· Power Marketing Administrations -$52M
· Department of Treasury -$268M
· Internal Revenue Service -$593M
· Treasury Forfeiture Fund -$338M
· GSA Federal Buildings Fund -$1.7B
· ONDCP -$69M
· International Trade Administration -$93M
· Economic Development Assistance -$16M
· Minority Business Development Agency -$2M
· National Institute of Standards and Technology -$186M
· NOAA -$336M
· National Drug Intelligence Center -$11M
· Law Enforcement Wireless Communications -$52M
· US Marshals Service -$10M
· FBI -$74M
· State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance -$256M
· Juvenile Justice -$2.3M
· COPS -$600M
· NASA -$379M
· NSF -$139M
· Legal Services Corporation -$75M
· EPA -$1.6B
· Food Safety and Inspection Services -$53M
· Farm Service Agency -$201M
· Agriculture Research -$246M
· Natural Resource Conservation Service -$46M
· Rural Development Programs -$237M
· WIC -$758M
· International Food Aid grants -$544M
· FDA -$220M
· Land and Water Conservation Fund -$348M
· National Archives and Record Service -$20M
· DOE Loan Guarantee Authority -$1.4B
· EPA ENERGY STAR -$7.4M
· EPA GHG Reporting Registry -$9M
· USGS -$27M
· EPA Cap and Trade Technical Assistance -$5M
· EPA State and Local Air Quality Management -$25M
· Fish and Wildlife Service -$72M
· Smithsonian -$7.3M
· National Park Service -$51M
· Clean Water State Revolving Fund -$700M
· Drinking Water State Revolving Fund -$250M
· EPA Brownfields -$48M
· Forest Service -$38M
· National Endowment for the Arts -$6M
· National Endowment for the Humanities -$6M
· Job Training Programs -$2B
· Community Health Centers -$1.3B
· Maternal and Child Health Block Grants -$210M
· Family Planning -$327M
· Poison Control Centers -$27M
· CDC -$755M
· NIH -$1B
· Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services -$96M
· LIHEAP Contingency fund -$400M
· Community Services Block Grant -$405M
· High Speed Rail -$1B
· FAA Next Gen -$234M
· Amtrak -$224M
· HUD Community Development Fund -$530M

(All reductions are compared to the President’s fiscal year 2011 request)

Anonymous said...

This CR with massive cuts has the distinct smell of lab layoffs.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the increase in attrition and decrease in new hires due to the pay freeze will be enough to cover reduction requirements to avoid a RIF?

Anonymous said...

http://republicans.appropriations.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=261&Month=2&Year=2011

http://republicans.appropriations.house.gov/_files/ProgramCutsFY2011ContinuingResolution.pdf

Anonymous said...

It does not appear that anything on that list directly affects lab funding as far as I can tell. Is this correct?

Anonymous said...

I think WFO will take a big hit. LEPs and other direct funded NNSA work (NIF, CMRR, etc)should be okay. But basic science and research from DOE and others will be hurt.

The real question - When will Congress take a hard look at can the country support 2 "healthy" nuclear weapons design/physics labs, given the shrinking number and diversity of systems in the stockpile.

Anonymous said...

This CR has major cuts that mirror those in the FY11 budget released late last week by the House. The same budget that the Senate leadership said was dead on arrival. So why would the Senate approve this CR. Meaning if the FY11 budget doesn't get approved by the Senate, and CR doesn't get approved by the Senate... the government shuts down, and funding to the Labs shuts down.

So how long can the Labs run before checks start bouncing and operations have to be shut down?

Anonymous said...

Read it and weep. Beyond the current CR, below are the cuts that Obama has planned for 2012 (and the GOP will want even bigger cuts, no doubt). These figures come from the White House budget released just this morning.

Of particular note, DOD spending will be cut almost 6% and DOE funding will be cut almost 13%. The pain and talks of looming layoffs are about to begin:

=======
WASHINGTON (AP) – Here are the spending levels proposed by President Barack Obama for each federal agency in his 2012 budget. All totals are in billions of dollars. Because Congress has not completed action on 2011 spending legislation, the administration used the president's 2011 budget request as the basis for the 2011 spending estimates for each agency.

Dept -- Total 2011 -- Total 2012 -- % Change

Agriculture 147.8 145.6 -1.5
Commerce 9.2 10.4 13.9
Defense 772.1 727.4 -5.8
Education 49.1 68 38.5
Energy 31.2 27.2 -12.7
EPA 9.9 8.8 -11.2
Health and Human Services 895.6 886.8 -1.0
Homeland Security 43.5 44.3 1.8
Housing and Urban Development 55.9 47.2 -15.5
Interior 12.4 11.8 -4.4
Justice 32.6 31 -5.1
Labor 149.5 108.8 -27.2
State 74.2 73.6 -0.7
Transportation 76.5 128.6 68.1
Treasury 467.3 520.3 11.4
Veterans 123.4 129 4.5
Social Security 803.1 818.3 1.9
NASA 18.9 18.7 -0.9
Legislative Branch 4.8 5.2 6.9
Judiciary 7.3 7.6 4.3
Army Corps of Engineers 4.9 4.6 -6.1
Other Agencies 120.7 131.5 8.9

TOTAL 3,651 3,685 0.9

Anonymous said...

Hey, Obama. I know how you can instantly save about $200 million at Los Alamos and maybe $175 million at Livermore.

Get rid of the crazy "for-profit" NNSA lab management contracts and put these science labs back under a non-profit entity.

Not only will you save lots of government money, but the workers at these "prison" labs will thank you dearly!

Anonymous said...

Ah, the Tea Party is learning the same old elephant bait and switch. The press release lead says cuts of $74B, but if you add up the list of 70 it only sums to $23B. Now maybe they want to claim the cuts are for six months so on an annual rate they can take credit for double.

Anonymous said...

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Obama's budget includes 21% hike for infrastructure at LANL, other labs

Anonymous said...

Infrastructure increases don't pay for science. They pay for Bechtel construction management and for building overpriced structures.

Then, again, with Bechtel running the labs, maybe it all makes sense in the end.

Anonymous said...

weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/hancock/
blog/2011/02/congress_moves_to_help_terrori.html


FEBRUARY 14, 2011 - Baltimore Sun (Blog)

***** Congress moves to help terrorists *****

John Hancock Blog:

I can't find this on the Web yet, but here is the whole press release from Council for a Livable World. The possiblility of nukes falling into the hands of terrorists remains the No. 1 threat to global stability. Spending money to control loose nukes is one of the best investments the United States can make. The program has enjoyed broad bipartisan support. House Republicans should wake up. This is one program that shouldn't be tossed out in the zeal to cut costs.

-

Washington, DC. Council for a Livable World today denounced the proposed House Republican budget for Fiscal Year 2011 "for undercutting the fight against nuclear terrorism."

The House Appropriations Committee on Friday recommended $2.085 billion for "Defense Nuclear Proliferation" in the National Nuclear Security Agency, a whopping cut of $602 million, or 22% from programs that keep nuclear weapon materials out of the hands of terrorists.

These funds are used to reduce the global threat posed by nuclear weapons, nuclear proliferation and unsecure nuclear materials.

Anonymous said...

Continuing resolution will have little effect on the programs at the LLNL compared to the looming budget crises.

One trillion dollar deficits cannot be sustained much longer and to correct the budget entitlements will have to be cut. However, before entitlements are cut all other departments and agencies will be severely cut. DOE will not be able to support two nuclear weapons research labs and it is clear that LANL will be the surviving lab. Once 332 is de-inventoried layoffs will follow and more work will be transferred to LANL. It could be expected that by 2014, or soon after, that LLNL would be down to 2K people, assuming that NIF provides some hope of working. LLNL has no control over this since the budget and congress will determine what happens.

Speaking of entitlement; we need to cut some now (say 10-15%) to avoid much higher cuts (maybe 20-40%) that would be force upon the recipients (baby boomer) of social security, Medicare, etc. if (when) we experience another severe recession several years from now. These things tend to repeat and possibly in greater severity.

We must realize that the USA is essentially broke, the cold war is behind us, and the work being conducted at LLNL is not on the hearts and minds of the people or congress. Do what you can, get what you can, and be prepared to leave. It is over and time is running out.

Anonymous said...

You weapon guys at LLNL have nothing to worry about. With the selection of Macmillan as the new LANL Director, Knapp will be the new PAD for weapons. You guys will be granted new positions here at LANS. Hopefully, at that point, Knapp will stop saying "at Livermore, at Livermore, at Livermore, ...", since effectively LANL will become Livermore. It was all by design.

Anonymous said...

Brett Knapp as the next PAD of weapons?

Oh, God! I think I'm starting to feel nauseous. You've just reminded me that as bad as things are at LANL, they are about to get much worse!

Anonymous said...

Knapp reminds me of that guy in the car that barely made it across the bridge in Iraq before a guided weapon hit it. Recall General Norm Swartzkoff commenting on a video, "I'm going to show you the luckiest man in Iraq". As to how Knapp has made this far in his career with his "tool chest" consisting of a hammer and hatchet is truly the luckiest man in the world.

Anonymous said...

If Knapp weren't doing what Pattiz, Anastasio and Mcmillan wanted him to do, he would be gone. As for his crappy people skills, hey, is he your first boss like that?

Anonymous said...

Some of the latest reports out of Washington DC indicate that the GOP is ready to carry out a government shut-down over raising the debt ceiling. It's apparently not a bluff with the new GOP members in Congress.

You might want to think about being prepared to lose several weeks (months?) of salary when it happens. Isn't this fun?

Anonymous said...

During the last shutdown, in the Clinton years, I don't remember a stop in pay. Since GOCO? Anyone?

Anonymous said...

If Knapp weren't doing what Pattiz, Anastasio and Mcmillan wanted him to do, he would be gone. As for his crappy people skills, hey, is he your first boss like that?

February 15, 2011 7:12 PM

All due respects, however, I have had at least 25 bosses in my career and Knapp is by far the most vindictive and hateful boss I have ever had. He's the guy that forced myself and about 20 others out of their weapon jobs. Most of us had +20 years experience.

Anonymous said...

He's the guy that forced myself and about 20 others out of their weapon jobs. Most of us had +20 years experience.

February 16, 2011 4:05 PM

What were your performance ratings from your bosses before Knapp came in? Just askin'.

Anonymous said...

As I recall during the Clinton administration years the UC was able to cover funding for 60-90 days; since the federal shut downs did not last that long we did not experience any lapse in pay. I don’t know if LLNS will cover salaries for 60-90 minutes, let alone 60-90 days. During any kind of fed shut down I think LLNS will only use resources to fund security, emergency services, and some of the upper management. The unknown is if medical for employees and retirees will be covered.

Anonymous said...

Its looking more and more like there will be a shut down. The latest from Politico.com….

John Boehner increases chance of government shutdown

By JAKE SHERMAN | 2/17/11 11:54 AM EST Updated: 2/17/11 1:55 PM EST

House Speaker John Boehner Thursday ruled out the possibility of passing a short-term government funding measure at current funding levels, raising the prospect of a government shutdown.

Boehner (R-Ohio) said he is “not going to move any kind of short-term [spending bill] at current levels.”

When we say we’re going to cut spending, read my lips: we’re going to cut spending,” Boehner told reporters.

Boehner is drawing a firm line on cutting spending, even a showdown with the Senate won’t force him to pass a spending bill at current levels, which his party see as too high.

Government funding runs out on March 4. Congress is out next week.

A short-term extension at current levels would be a time-buying alternative to a full spending package, one that would likely find support in the Senate, and could pass the House with Democratic votes. The GOP does not think such a measure would garner enough support in the lower chamber.

Boehner’s stance is a warning shot for Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) who has already said he doesn’t expect much support in his chamber for the House spending measure.

Reid and other Democratic leaders responded to Boehner’s announcement saying they were “terribly disappointed” in the speaker’s stance, accusing him of setting up a government shutdown.

“I am disappointed that Speaker Boehner doesn’t believe he has the votes to avoid a government shutdown, unless his members get their way on all of their demands,” Reid said in a statement. “It is unproductive to resort to threats of a shutdown without any negotiations.”

Getting a new bill signed into law won’t be simple. The Senate has shown no interest in the continuing resolution that would fund the government through the end of fiscal 2011 currently under debate in the House. Government funding runs out on March 4, an even tighter deadline than it appears because both chambers are out next week for the President’s Day recess.

That would likely give the Senate and the House five days to come to an agreement on how to keep the government operating.

“We’re hopeful that the Senate will take up the House-passed bill that comes out of here today, tonight, tomorrow morning — whenever it is — we hope that they will move it,” Boehner said.

That illustrates the GOP’s next problem. It is unclear to Capitol insiders when they will be able to move to a final vote on the spending measure. After two late-night sessions, the Appropriations Committee is trying to construct a unanimous consent agreement that would help expedite the process —but aides say they aren’t close to such an agreement.

House Republicans don’t want to stifle their open floor process, but are looking for a way to avoid what could become a weekend of work. Two ideas have been floated: bundling together debate on amendments, and limiting debate time on amendments from five minutes for every member on every amendment to 10 minutes total on an amendment.

On Thursday afternoon, Republicans seemed resigned to being in session through Friday.

Anonymous said...

Boehner wants to cut government spending but would be the first one to cry when FEMA, for example, is slow responding to some disaster.

On one hand, he is against government intervention in your private life; at the same time,
he wants to pass a bill to tell women they must bring a pregnancy to term (read anti-abortion bill).

How do you explain that?

He wants 200,000 government jobs to go away but would he be willing to take a 20% cut himself as a "government" employee?

I don't so!

Ideology wont solve nothing!

Anonymous said...

A government shutdown arriving with weeks or months of no lab pay, followed by RIFs and annual CRs or worse for many years into the future.

Plus, cuts in benefits, a pension in danger and a 2 year pay freeze to be followed by a likely 5 year pay freeze once the GOP takes over in 2012. Severance? Probably not gonna happen, there will be no money for it.

What a wonderful place the NNSA labs have become to maintain a career!

Anonymous said...

I don't so!

Ideology wont solve nothing!

February 17, 2011 7:42 PM

OK, you need to slow down a little, take a deep breath, and proofread. I have to believe the "wont solve nothing" part was a joke.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful place the NNSA labs have become to maintain a career!

February 17, 2011 10:47 PM

Sorta like the teacher's unions: Prove your competence and value to the organization, or be gone. You may not realize it, but you are the last vestiges of US employees with pension plans and retiree health care. Virtually no other workers in America have this anymore, outside the public sector. In the near future, it will be considered a taxable benefit, or will be gone.

Anonymous said...

"Sorta like the teacher's unions: Prove your competence and value to the organization, or be gone. "

?????
How is this like teachers union?

Anonymous said...

I think the poster meant it is like what is about to happen to teachers' unions an many states.

Anonymous said...

John Boehner increases chance of government shutdown


The John "readmylips" Boehner. Oh, boo hoo.

Anonymous said...

February 19, 2011 8:15 PM

Democrats decry the prospect of a government shut-down, and scream that it will be the Republicans' fault. As if they couldn't prevent it by compromising and reducing spending. Who cares? I will be happy if the government shuts down. I don't need them. And, I hope those that have put themselves in the position of needing the government find out how wrong they were to do that. And no, I don't care how needy or disabled you are.

Anonymous said...

" I hope those that have put themselves in the position of needing the government find out how wrong they were to do that. And no, I don't care how needy or disabled you are."

February 19, 2011 10:52 PM


Karma Police, I think I've got the perfect candidate for you in this ugly fellow! Go to it.

Anonymous said...

Karma Police, I think I've got the perfect candidate for you in this ugly fellow! Go to it.

February 20, 2011 1:59 PM

Guess what? There aren't any!! (Karma police). So your definition of "ugly" is just that and nothing more. Too many bleaters at the public tit. And guess what? I believe in debtors prison too. The people who thought that up weren't stupid. Just trying to stamp out antisocial behavior. If you are in debt to anyone, you are a drain on society.

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