Telephone lines were open for viewer comments on automatic spending cuts scheduled to go into effect later that day.*One line was set aside for federal workers, especially ones who had already received a furlough notice.
As part of a deal for raising the federal debt ceiling, the Budget Control Act of 2011 created sequestration on January 1, 2013, automatic spending cuts that are split 50/50 between defense and non-defense spending unless Congress would pass an alternate deficit reduction plan.*The cuts had been delayed until March 1, 2013, as part of a “fiscal cliff” agreement on the debt ceiling and tax increases.