Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement in response to today’s news that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced that he was recalling most Department of Defense civilian employees:

While the government shutdown remains in place due to the failure of Congress to pass funding bills for the fiscal year which began October 1, Congress passed and the President signed into law bipartisan legislation ensuring that troops and the civilian employees who support them will continue to receive pay, Kilmer’s office noted. Today’s announcement will bring most of the 400,000 civilians currently furloughed  around the country back to work, including thousands in our region who work at Naval Base Kitsap and Joint Base Lewis McChord.

“While today’s announcement won’t totally eliminate furloughs of civilian employees at the Department of Defense, it does mean that thousands of workers in our region will soon get to show up to work and help support our servicemembers,” said Representative Kilmer.  “Congress should also get to work and end this shutdown and pass a balanced, bipartisan budget.”