09/30/2013 // West Palm Beach, Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release)

Washington – U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has stated that the credibility of the U.S. will be hurt by the government shutdown. As reported by Reuters, Hagel warned on Tuesday that the credibility of America to allies abroad would be impacted, as he was visiting South Korea to celebrate a 60-year-old mutual defense treaty between the two countries.

A reported 400,000 civilians are expected to be sent home on unpaid leave on Tuesday as the Pentagon and other government agencies begin implementation of shutdown plans.

Hagel is quoted by Reuters as stating of trying to find ways to prevent some of the workers from being forced to go on leave, “Our lawyers are now looking through the (new) law that the president signed … to see if there’s any margin here or widening in the interpretation of the law regarding exempt versus non-exempt civilians… Our lawyers believe that maybe we can expand the exempt status.”

Hagel is further quoted in the report as stating to reporters of the shutdown, “It does have an effect on our relationships around the world and it cuts straight to the obvious question: Can you rely on the United States as a reliable partner to fulfill its commitments to its allies?” and urging Congress to “find a new center of gravity of responsibility and start to govern as is their responsibility.”

This report is provided by Justice News Flash – Washington Legal News

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