A potential funding shortage of $8.6 billion over the remainder of this fiscal year has prompted Navy leaders to call off the deployment of one aircraft carrier and delay the overhaul and refueling of another.
These decisions have been blamed on Congress’ failure to pass a 2013 budget and on looming automatic spending cuts of 8.8 percent across the Defense Department that are scheduled to begin March 1/.../
Andrew F. Krepinevich Jr., president of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, said the decision appears to be partly propaganda aimed at demonstrating to Congress the real consequences of budget cuts. There is also a legitimate justification for not sending the ship to the Gulf if there is not going to be enough money to pay for fuel and logistics support, he said. The crew of 4,500 sailors has to be paid regardless of whether they go out to sea or stay home, as they are legally exempt from furloughs.