Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel warned senators that he will have no choice but to extend involuntary furloughs and incur hindrances to readiness if sequestration cuts persist through next year. Hagel outlined his so-called "Plan B" cuts in a July 10 letter to the Senate, in response to the lawmakers’ request for details regarding how sequestration would affect the Pentagon if allowed to continue. While stating that he supports President Obama’s budget request for 2014, Hagel wrote that the Defense Department would have to cut another $52 billion from the budget if sequestration is still in effect. "The size, readiness and technological superiority of our military will be reduced, placing at much greater risk the country’s ability to meet our current national security commitments," Hagel wrote.
