JANUARY 2019 VOICES FROM THE FIELD FBI Agent Accounts of the Real Consequences of the Government Shutdown ABOUT THE FBI AGENTS ASSOCIATION The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) is an organization founded in 1981. Our mission is to advance & safeguard the careers, economic interests, conditions of employment and welfare of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agents & retired FBI Special Agents. We fulfill this mission by providing support and advocacy to more than 14,000 active and former FBI Special Agents. The services to members of our organization include internal advocacy within the Bureau, legal representation, legislative advocacy and financial support to members, offered through both the Memorial College Fund and the Member Assistance Fund. For questions about Voices from the Field, contact: Paul Nathanson (202) 828-1714 paul.nathanson@bracewell.com fbiaa.org @FBIAgentsAssoc Voices from the Field contains reports from FBI Special Agents nationwide. These stories illustrate how the government shutdown affects our work and identifies the risks that may emerge as it continues. FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) members provided these reports on a voluntary and confidential basis. FBIAA is releasing Voices from the Field to ensure that What is Congress, the Administration, and the public are aware of the real and daily challenges faced by FBI Agents and the risks to national security posed by a prolonged shutdown. Voices from One overriding fact is clear when you listen to FBI Agents: the Field? Financial security is national security. For Agents and the FBIAA, the fight for funding is not political. It is a matter of completing our mission and protecting the Constitution and the people of our nation. Agents will continue working to thwart all plots and investigate all incidents, whether child trafficking and exploitation, cyber intrusion, or terrorist attack. [ 3 ] 1. Background on the Government Shutdown 2. Shutdown: Financial Security Is National Security Operations Crimes Against Children Cybersecurity and Sex Trafficking Healthcare and Drug and Gang Crime Securities Fraud Counter-Intelligence and State and Local Work Counter-Terrorism Subpoenas What is in Voices from Recruitment and Retention Training, Travel, and Supplies Financial Insecurity 3. In Their Own Words [ 4 ] the Field? THE GOVERNMENT Ewn EHEE RESPUHSE TEAM 3114* Ewneucs RESPONSE TEAM 'ashington 5 f5" Us; A As FBI Special Agents, we dedicate our lives to protecting our country from criminals and terrorists who threaten our safety, economy, and way of life. We are honored to serve and protect the public. However, the ongoing government shutdown undermines our ability to perform these duties and fund necessary operations and investigations. The government shutdown, which began December 22, 2018, What is the Government left the FBI in a category of federal agencies that were not funded by an annual appropriations bill. Due to our essential role in protecting national security, FBI Special Agents are working without pay. On January 10, 2019, the National Executive Board of the FBI Agents Association and Shutdown? representatives from all FBI field offices around the country signed a petition warning of the different ways the shutdown undermines the FBI’s mission. As the shutdown moves into its fifth week, FBI Agents nationwide have submitted their stories describing the affect of the shutdown on FBI Special Agents and their work. [ 6 ] If the FBI and Department of Justice ("DOJ") are not funded, the Agents will continue to face challenges in carrying out our mission to protect the nation. Some of the specific ways the shutdown affects our Agents and operations were highlighted in the FIBAA’s petition: 1. FBI Special Agents are subject to high security standards that include rigorous and routine financial background checks.… Missing payments on debts could create delays in securing or renewing security clearances, and could even disqualify Agents from continuing to serve in some cases. 2. The operations of the FBI require funding. As the shutdown continues, Special Agents remain at work for the American people without being paid, and FBI What does the FBIAA petition to Congress and the White House say? leadership is doing all it can to fund FBI operations with increasingly limited resources—this situation is not sustainable. 3. Pay uncertainty undermines the FBI’s ability to recruit and retain high-caliber professionals.... The ongoing financial insecurity caused by the failure to fund the FBI could lead some FBI Agents to consider career options that provide more stability for their families. For the time being, negotiations between the White House and Congressional leaders over a way to fund particular agencies or end the shutdown altogether have stalled. We are confident that our leaders share our commitment to protecting the country, but urge an expedient solution to fund the DOJ and the FBI before financial insecurity compromises national security. [ 7 ] SHUTDIIW FINANCIAL SECURITY IS NATIONAL SECURITY - a: . 1? Iv 4'1- IV EHCE RESPUHSE TEAM RESPONSE TEAM 'ashington 00M if '33] A Operations: Crimes Against Children and Sex Trafficking " On the child exploitation side, as an [undercover employee], I have had to put pervs on standby.… This just puts children in jeopardy. " - Southeast Region [ 9 ] Operations: Crimes Against Children and Sex Trafficking " In Indian Country, agents work some of the most violent crimes and at a very high case load. The violations worked are primarily violent homicides and crimes against children, with child sexual assaults likely being 70-80% of the case load.… FBI offices…are having investigations stalled, to include delayed forensic interviews of child victims and delaying grand jury indictments on homicides and child sexual assault prosecutions. Our child victims deserve timely interviews to increase successful preservation of their testimony. The cases are being delayed for grand jury because we can't get medical records from certain Indian Hospitals with attorneys who are furloughed. Additionally, cases are being delayed for grand jury because investigators can't obtain land status information, [which is necessary for jurisdiction]. The impact is we aren't able to take cases to grand jury to seek indictments/warrants in order to get our most violent offenders arrested and justice for our victims. - Western Region " [ 1 0 ] Operations: Crimes Against Children and " Recently, we were scheduled for training [during the shutdown] regarding child abductions in our area. We have had two stranger abductions in the last year, and…we were told we had to cancel. Sex Trafficking Victims from domestic minor sex trafficking cases are not receiving the attention they need and/or visits and counseling services. These are investigations that cross state lines.… Local victims in charged federal cases have been requested to fly in, prep for trial, and will not receive their witness fee or per diem monies that are deemed their right; however, criminal trials will move forward. Their testimony is expected, and yet, we have no way to pay for their…expenses. - Central Region " [ 1 1 ] " I currently investigate a particularly violent street gang…. I have had to tell our local law enforcement Drug and Gang partners that I cannot assist in funding these operations because my field office does not have money. This means that the one chance we may have to take down several violent individuals may pass us by and we may not get the chance again. This means that the victims of those crimes and their families will get no justice. This means that those criminals will see another day of freedom simply because we did not have the funding to further our investigations. We as individuals in this organization swore to protect and serve the American people, [but we cannot do so] if the government is not re-opened immediately. - Central Region [ 1 3 Operations: ] " Crime Operations: " Two days ago, our financial office advised that the Drug and Gang division has exhausted [Organized Crime Drug Crime Enforcement Task Force ('OCDETF')] operational funding.… We are in the middle of a critical OCDETF investigation targeting kilo-quantity trafficking of methamphetamine and heroin by street gang members…. Without money to pay sources and conduct controlled narcotics purchases, our task force is unable to continue these critical investigations. This task force is the only task force in this region specifically targeting interstate street gang criminal activities. [ 1 4 ] " Operations: " Drug and Gang I have been working a long term MS-13 investigation for over three years. We have indicted 23 MS-13 gang members for racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, extortion, money laundering and weapons offenses.… Since the shutdown, I have not had a Spanish speaker in the Division. We have several Spanish speaking informants. We are only able to communicate using a three way call with a linguist in another division. - Central Region [ 1 5 ] " Crime " Operations: We don't have funds for operations. We… are unable to do undercover or [Confidential Human Source] operations that require using government funds to purchase narcotics or firearms from gang members, which is a method we use to get drugs and guns off the streets and to prosecute the violent gang and drug traffickers. We don't have funds to purchase necessary equipment for our operations.... We are relying on borrowing money from state and local partners for operations, although in very small amounts since their budgets are not equipped for large scale gang and drug operations. Additionally we are impacting our liaison partners and relationships as we are unable to pay our dedicated state and local officers who assist our investigations on overtime hours above and beyond their regular shifts, which many times includes late nights and weekends. - Western Region [ 1 6 Drug and Gang ] " Crime Operations: " A [Resident Agency] has three criminal enterprises dealing illicit drugs, committing violent crimes, and various other criminal activities targeted. Unfortunately, we are going to be unable to conduct any controlled purchases of illicit drugs because the FBI and our partner…have no evidence purchase funds available. " - Southeast Region [ 1 7 ] Drug and Gang Crime Operations: " [W]e work to enhance the capability of local law enforcement to combat the drug and gang issue. Due to a lapse in appropriations, we are not able to assist departments who are not financially capable to conduct evidence purchases to further investigations. As Agents working a large territory, we are currently prohibited from most travel. - Central Region [ 1 8 ] " Drug and Gang Crime " Operations: We have an ongoing narcotics Drug and Gang investigation.… The designation for the type of case prevents funding during the shutdown.… We do not have funding for the following: operational travel, funding to pay for the load vehicle, or funding to pay the [Confidential Human Source]. We may miss the opportunity to conduct the operation.… Multiple subjects could potentially not be identified or arrested based on the lack of funding. - Western Region [ 1 9 ] " Crime $0 Slab 7, not Shwl?dcwn [m unmo- Operations: Counter- From a Critical Incident Response Group Agent: Intelligence and CounterTerrorism " Operational training for specific critical response missions has been postponed or cancelled for January and continues to be cancelled as weeks continue to progress without funding. This training…is necessary to maintain our readiness posture to deal with all levels of pre-blast weapons of mass destruction.… This negatively impacts our ability to do our job and protect the American public. " [ 2 1 ] Operations: From an Agent discussing the operational impact of the shutdown on national security intelligence collection Counter- and production: Intelligence and CounterTerrorism " The Bureau is unable to fulfill confidential service or expense payments to our national security Confidential Human Sources that provide real-time perishable information for the Intelligence Community and our senior policy makers, Cabinet level officials, Presidential advisors, and the Office of the President. - Central Region " [ 2 2 ] Operations: Counter- From an Agent working both overt and undercover counter-intelligence matters against a top threat to Intelligence national security: and CounterTerrorism " The shutdown has eliminated any ability to operate.… It’s bad enough to work without pay, but we can only conduct administrative functions while doing it. The fear is our enemies know they can run freely. " - Western Region [ 2 3 ] Operations: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " Because of lack of funding, I am unable to travel to the countries in my [area of responsibility]. This means investigations are stalling, information sharing is diminished, and relationships with foreign partners are weakening. Some significant operational examples are: 1) A crimes against children investigation is stalled because the forensic interviewer is unable to travel here to interview potential victim children and we are unable to ship evidence back to the case agents because pouch shipments have been postponed. 2) [A] request for assistance in a FCPA related investigation cannot proceed because the [other government agency involved] is 95% furloughed. 3) [W]e will potentially not be able to travel to gather time sensitive intel related to [counter-terrorism] threats to the US. - Legat " [ 2 4 ] Operations: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " As a Joint Terrorism Task Force Coordinator, the inability to pay Confidential Human Sources has had a detrimental effect on our counter-terrorism investigations and operations. We have lost several sources who have worked for months, and years, to penetrate groups and target subjects. These assets cannot be replaced.… Serving my country has always been a privilege, but it has never been so hard or thankless. - Western Region " [ 2 5 ] Operations: From an Agent in counter-terrorism: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " I am already starting to see a negative impact of the shutdown on the pace of our operations and investigations. Particularly, the United States Attorney's Office is unable to issue grand jury subpoenas for financial institutions…. Most of our [counter-terrorism] cases have a strong financial angle and our inability to fully utilize all available investigative tools slows down the pace of the investigation in critical [counter-terrorism] matters. " - Central Region [ 2 6 ] Operations: From an Agent in counter-terrorism: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " We've experienced several situations where [Joint Terrorism Task Force ('JTTF')] officers from other federal agencies that are also experiencing shut down are unable to perform their JTTF duties as they're being locked out of FBI systems due to their security clearance renewal not being passed to the FBIHQ. " - Central Region [ 2 7 ] Operations: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " We are unable to pay our Confidential Human Sources that report on terrorism. I am unable to buy the phone card that I use to recharge my 'cold' phone...to talk to a very valuable…[Confidential Human Source]…[who] reports on domestic and international terrorism. The cold phone [is necessary] to avoid identification through subscriber information. - Central Region " [ 2 8 ] Operations: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " Not being able to pay Confidential Human Sources risks losing them and the information they provide FOREVER. It is not a switch that we can turn on and off. - Central Region " [ 2 9 ] Operations: From a Special Agent Bomb Technician: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " I am currently deployed overseas working in support of the Department of Defense ('DOD'). We have seen a direct effect on the counter-terrorism effort we are fighting overseas with the current budget impasse and shutdown. Many cases we have in the homeland have direct ties to the work that is being done in concert with the DOD. We simply want the shutdown to end so that we can continue the good work we are doing both overseas and domestic. - Western Region " [ 3 0 ] Operations: CounterIntelligence and Counter- From a bomb technician: " This week I was scheduled to make a three-hour drive…to meet with a group of oil and gas pipeline representatives…. It is not secret that pipeline operators and the petroleum industry at large are past and likely future targets for criminal actors. Some of those actors may use methods that require a bomb technician…. My attendance at this event was cancelled, in part, due to the cost of Terrorism fueling my vehicle. [T]he FBI is responsible for executing PPD25, the ‘Counter-WMD’ mission. [T]he Civil Support Team ('CST')…is holding a certification course for their operators. The FBI has long played an important role in this training…. In the event of a PPD-25 related action, the CSTs and the FBI would work in lock step. I was asked to participate in a portion of this training for new CST operators. However, due to the shutdown, I cannot go…the cost of gas for a 5 hour trip precludes " my attendance. - Western Region [ 3 1 ] Operations: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " I am assigned to a HUMINT Squad and operate sources who work in…the U.S. and overseas collecting intelligence regarding international terrorism threats. Most of these sources…rely on payments for expenses. Since [the shutdown] I have been unable to pay these sources, resulting in a drop in their motivation and in their ability to collect critical intelligence. - Central Region " [ 3 2 ] Operations: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " [T]here was counter-terrorism training scheduled for agents and [Assistant U.S. Attorneys] to attend together as a prosecution team that was cancelled due to the shutdown. - Southeast Region " [ 3 3 ] Operations: CounterIntelligence and CounterTerrorism " In my area of work, a lot of valuable information is gathered from informants. With the government shutdown, we cannot secure safe places to meet with our informants and we cannot pay them for their information. In most cases, this means not being able to make regular meetings and missing out on information altogether, leaving a concerning gap in intel relating to national security. " -Northeast Region [ 3 4 ] " Operations: Today we have no funds for making Confidential Human Source payments. In my situation, I have two sources that support our national security cyber mission that no longer have funding. They are critical sources providing tripwires and intelligence that protect the United States against our foreign adversaries. The loss in productivity and pertinent intelligence is immeasurable. - Northeast Region [ 3 6 ] " Cybersecurity Operations: Cybersecurity " The federal government shutdown means I continue to work every day to protect America, while investigations are delayed and my family goes without pay.… [We] are unable to schedule a case collaboration meeting with another government agency while the shutdown continues. These delays slow down our work to combat criminal activity on the [internet] and protect the American people. " - Northeast Region [ 3 7 ] Operations: Healthcare and Securities Fraud " The operational impacts of this shutdown are immeasurable…we have postponed the indictment of subjects due to the shutdown. - Northeast Region " [ 3 9 ] Operations: Regarding a securities fraud/insider trading case: Healthcare and Securities Fraud " Given the complicated nature of this investigation, I…collaborate…with partners from [other government agencies]. As a result of the shutdown, communication with these partners has ceased.… Couple that with staff from the [U.S. Attorney's Office] being furloughed, approximately 20+ grand jury subpoenas are not being delivered to involved/assisting entities. The case is basically on a paused status until the government reopens. " - Southeast Region [ 4 0 ] w/l " One of our local law enforcement partners approached us a week or so ago asking for help on a homicide State and investigation.... The local department requested the assistance of the division Evidence Response Team ('ERT') Local Work to help with the task of recovering body parts, hair, DNA...anything that could help them positively identify traces of their victim at this location. Due to the shutdown, funds were not available to assist with this response since it did not rise to the level of 'protection of life or property,' so no ERT deployment was authorized and we were not able to assist one of our local partners during their time of need…. As a result, our relationship with that police department suffers and has become more strained, which will certainly affect future FBI investigations where we will, in turn, need their assistance. [ 4 2 ] Operations: " " [Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinators ('WMDCs')], [Hazardous Evidence Response Teams], and [Special State and Agent Bomb Technicians ('SABTs')] work closely with each state's Civil Support Team ('CST') as partners in Local Work responding to hazardous crime scenes and incidents. Every 18 months, the CSTs go through a certification process and are tested by outside entities to renew their accreditation. FBI participation is always requested in order to demonstrate a good linkage with the local WMDC as one of the certification requirements. This certification is occurring next week in an adjacent state that would require travel funds. Travel for the WMDC and of the Division's new SABT team leader was denied due to the shutdown. As a result, our relationship with the CST will suffer and they will likely be marked down for lack of WMDC participation. - Western Region [ 4 3 Operations: ] " Operations: " Part of our [unit’s] assignment is to train a federal, state, and local law enforcement. These trainings Local Work are in high demand and provide significant resources to agencies.... Training is often scheduled months in advance. Due to the shutdown we cannot ship the materials used to conduct training, nor can we travel to provide the training we already committed to. - Northeast Region [ 4 4 State and ] " " We have two active [Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force ('OCDETF')] cases where we get extensive assistance from our local law enforcement partners. OCDETF cases are a big deal as they involve conspiracy cases for drug trafficking organizations. Although we are told that funds from OCDETF cases are available to us for use in operations, the following things we lack due to the shutdown are: overtime funds available to our local partners that make our cases a priority because although we submit the funds—the individuals processing the claims are furloughed and the local police departments do not get reimbursed. If the local [police departments] do not get reimbursed, then we lose our manpower because the local [police departments] cannot afford to pay the overtime for their officers. Without travel funds, we cannot travel for operational matters to bring down large drug trafficking organizations. - Central Region [ 4 5 ] " Operations: State and Local Work Operations: Subpoenas " I have been advised by our United States Attorney's Office that because of the shutdown there are no funds allocated to pay for grand jury subpoenas. As a result, only 'emergency' subpoenas are being issued and any 'non-emergency' subpoenas will not be processed until after the shutdown. This is causing affected investigations to be put on hold until the shutdown ends. " [ 4 7 ] Operations: Subpoenas " Operationally, I requested a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office yesterday and was told it may take a while because their legal assistants are furloughed. Depending on how long the shutdown lasts, it could be several weeks before my subpoena is issued. - Southeast Region " [ 4 8 ] $0 Slab 7, (Adi) not Shfdawn 4" mm.- " I have heard from some of our younger employees, both agents and support, that if this shutdown is a prolonged matter…they have said they will find work elsewhere.… The problem is that the FBI spends a lot of time, money and manpower in recruiting, conducting backgrounds and training new employees, so the FBI has more invested in them than they have invested in the government.… I can't imagine attracting new qualified applicants to the FBI as a result of this shutdown, those folks will go elsewhere too and we will get stuck with subpar applicants. - Northeast Region [ 5 0 ] " Recruitment and Retention Recruitment " I am eligible to retire. This shutdown, in combination with several years in which we have not had basic cost of living increases, has convinced me I need to retire sooner than later. I live in a high cost of living area.... The effect of approximately 6 pay freezes has meant a significant pay cut in today’s dollars.… It’s hard for me to leave the Bureau, as I love the people and our mission. - Western Region [ 5 1 ] " and Retention Recruitment " and Retention Demographically, I’ve been an agent for more than four years and have a degree in computer science and work computer intrusions. Putting up with lower pay than the private sector only makes sense when you actually get paid. - D.C. Region [ 5 2 ] " Training, Travel, and Supplies " On January 7, 2019, we started a new class of approximately 200 new Agents and new Intel Analysts. These students are expected to perform at a high level for 50-60 hours per week while attending training. Many of these students are the primary source of income for their families. I am concerned that if this partial shutdown continues, we may have students that will have no other choice but to resign because they cannot pay their bills.… This will also have a negative effect on future recruiting. - D.C. Region " [ 5 4 ] Training, Travel, and Supplies " The shutdown has been an absolute disaster for my program. The two main things we do are: train FBI Agents to become tactical instructors, and provide live saving training called LETSS ('Law Enforcement Training for Safety and Survival'). We put on approximately 30 LETSS courses domestically. Then, an additional 5-10 courses overseas.… So far I have had to cancel FIVE of these courses. More will be canceled next week if this shutdown continues. Each course has 20-30 officers and agents. Tactics are always changing and what we are pushing out is new to many officers.… Officers are always killed in and around vehicles.… Agents and officers are not receiving this training due to the shutdown. We have courses scheduled throughout the fiscal year and have canceled five so far. We have also had to postpone completely funded tactical instructor schools because we cannot travel for training during the shutdown. - D.C. Region " [ 5 5 ] Training, Travel, and Supplies " The shutdown has prohibited me from conducting any travel to conduct interviews necessary for an active case that is in immediate need of such interviews. " - New York, NY [ 5 6 ] Training, Travel, and Supplies " We are out of tires. Our mechanics are cannibalizing out of service vehicles in an effort to replace flat tires.… We are almost out of copy paper.… Supplies needed for forensic processing are being expended and not being replaced. We are now almost out of trace evidence filters, casting material, DNA swab kits, etc., with no ability to replenish them. " [ 5 7 ] " I have been an agent for nearly 24 years and for the last 11 years, my wife of 28 years has battled terminal cancer…[and] these expenses hit hardest in the first months of the calendar year...and so for the first time in my career we have had to ask for assistance from friends and family to make ends meet. I am proud to be an Agent, proud to serve my country, and willing to sacrifice my life in defense of the people and the Constitution, but to have my family placed in the financial situation we are currently facing due to partisan politics is disgusting to me as a government employee and a citizen. - Western Region [ 5 9 ] " Financial Insecurity Financial " Insecurity We have a robust food bank going and hosted 200 federal employees for a free potluck lunch this week.… We have a free breakfast planned for next week.… I am working with other federal agency heads...to help them as well.… I am working with our inbound new agents to help them. One of them may move in with my wife and I to help them save money. - Central Region [ 6 0 ] " " I've always prided myself on being able to pay my bills on-time and in-full. The fact that I can no Insecurity longer do that is humiliating and degrading. The crazy thing is that I'm still working as hard as I ever have in my job as an FBI agent.… Like many of my fellow agents, I took a sizable pay cut to come to serve my country as an FBI special agent. I accepted this position because I wanted to serve the cause of justice instead of clients. The idea that I'd be forced to work without a paycheck or the ability to provide to my family was unthinkable to me when I made that decision to work here. " - Southeast Region [ 6 1 ] Financial Financial " Last year my wife was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, we consider ourselves fortunate because we have great healthcare insurance that is provided by the federal government, but we also hit the catastrophic deductible on our insurance in May, one month after she was diagnosed…. My wife has not been able to work due to her treatments and still has treatments scheduled to go through May 2019.… The question that is first and foremost on my mind, will I be able to financially out last this shutdown?... I am also very angry at the unnecessary stress this shutdown is putting on my wife who just survived cancer and my 9 year-old son. - Northeast Region [ 6 2 ] " Insecurity " Financial As a 22-plus year veteran Supervisory Special Insecurity Agent, I have never been anything but proud to have been blessed to be a member of the best Law Enforcement/Intel agency on the planet, period…. We are a motivated, professional, and patriotic lot as you know, but we do have to make our bills like every other American - red, blue, green, or otherwise. Notwithstanding the obvious...financial duress, there is also a very real impact on morale for us all. - D.C. Region [ 6 3 ] " " Financial My wife and I are both FBI employees who were recently transferred to a new city and finally bought our first home. Now we can't pay the mortgage for it. We contacted our lender, and they are refusing to work with us. They don't want our 'Hardship Letter', they want money, period. My wife and I both have a combined 30 years of service with our Country. - Central Region [ 6 4 ] " Insecurity Financial " [Legal attache ('Legat')] personnel face school tuition and rents to be cut off due to shutdown beginning mid February.… [I]f Legat personnel aren't getting their rent and schools paid for, for months at a time (as it appears will be the case), it will severely impact our ability to work with our strategic partners and protect US national security assets overseas - and of course this cuts across all programs. - Legat [ 6 5 ] " Insecurity Financial " There have been several employees who have gotten zero assistance from their mortgage lenders and banks regarding home and car loans and still have to make payments on time or get penalized. They are truly struggling to make ends meet. - Central Region [ 6 6 ] " Insecurity Financial " Agents on 18-month [Temporary Duty travel ('TDY')] are no longer being reimbursed for their TDY expenses (lodging, meals, utilities, no home trips). Vouchers average about $5,000 per month. This represents a substantial financial hardship. The voucher unit at FBIHQ is not processing ANY vouchers and most of the staff is not reporting to work (some are in to answer questions, but not to process payments). - Central Region [ 6 7 ] " Insecurity " The cancellation of annual leave during the holidays and requiring employees to return to work for no Insecurity pay significantly added to damaging morale and making employees feel unappreciated by government leadership. The demoralization of employees is impacting operations because employees now have a significant point of stress distracting them as they perform their normal duties. The shutdown has also created a safety concern because when employees should be laser focused on an operation they have the distraction of worrying about making ends meet is in the back of their minds. - Central Region [ 6 8 ] Financial " Financial " The government shutdown is causing my wife and I undue stress, as we are expecting our first child soon and worry that money could be an issue once our savings are depleted, despite our pride in being financially responsible. - Northeast Region [ 6 9 ] " Insecurity " Financial New Agents assigned to [high-cost areas] can barely afford to live there even while being paid. If this lasts another month, many of us will have to decide between bankruptcy, eviction, or quitting.... If we are forced to quit, the Bureau will suffer significant manning issues, placing more strain on the already overburdened Agents who can afford to stick it out a few more months. We're also all told that financial instability is a vulnerability from a counter-intelligence standpoint. - Western Region [ 7 0 ] " Insecurity Financial " Like thousands of my colleagues, I am worried about the financial impact this is having. I am worried about paying bills and having to find a part-time job to make ends meet. What also greatly worries me is the status of my daughter.… She wants to become a Special Agent in the next two years, but she is also having to worry about how she is going to make it. - Southeast Region [ 7 1 ] " Insecurity "Since 1941, my family and I have served the "The government MUST be funded immediately so Bureau and our Country. I cannot recall a more we can continue our mission to most effectively challenging time, as our elected officials and protect the American people." our nation do not have any sense of the impact that the lapse of funding has upon our national security intelligence operations." "Our national security intelligence collection and operation requires funding." "We cannot protect the United States without proper funding." "I worry about the future of the FBI, and if we will be able to continue to recruit high quality people." "Terrorist attacks this week in Somalia and Syria (both of which took American lives) demonstrate that the threat remains. "With shutdown funding suspended, even the purchase of a 49 The shutdown is hurting our ability to protect ourselves from cent screwdriver bit is not possible, thereby stalling my task those who would kill us and destroy our way of life." indefinitely and preventing my investigative personnel from using the surveillance equipment they need...all because I am "No one wants to be used as a bargaining chip." "On a personal level I am starting to work weekends so we could pull not allowed to spend 49 cents." our child out of daycare and will be visiting a food pantry today after "FBI Special Agents are real people who also have to work work…. Not that anyone on the Hill really cares anyway." for a living and we have real world bills like everyone else. I love what I do, but I can't do it without a paycheck indefinitely." "Also, just a thought to share with our elected officials: "I oversee an FBI SWAT Team and currently we have no means 'A Patriots Peace - We, the silent servants who work behind of purchasing critical equipment, gear, or ammo for either the scenes, Who know not democrats or republicans but only Americans humbly ask you to restore our stability, as we freely sacrifice to ensure yours 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We pay for your peace, Please pay for ours.'" "We opened a food pantry which is accepting donations of food to assist families in need. Sadly, it is being used." training or operations." "We are still continuing to pursue the mission and keep our community safe, but it is much more difficult to do when we are scraping for funds and trying to be creative, while knowing we aren't making as big of an impact as we could and should be making."