Chuck Hagel to Give Up Part of His Salary

In solidarity with employees facing furloughs

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel plans to voluntarily give up part of his $200,000 annual salary in solidarity with about 700,000 of his civilian workers facing mandatory furloughs this summer.

With the Pentagon drawing up budget-cutting plans that could compel most of its civilian workers to take up to 14 days off in the coming months, Mr. Hagel has decided to give back part of his salary, even though his paycheck is immune from the mandatory cuts.

"The secretary plans to subject his pay to furlough levels even though he's not required to because he is a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed official in this department," Pentagon spokesman George Little told reporters on Tuesday.