U.S. Spy Chiefs: Shutdown Threatening National Security

James Clapper: "This seriously damages our ability to protect the safety and security of this nation". BBC

Intelligence Chiefs: Shutdown Threatening National Security -- Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON — Leaders of the U.S. intelligence community said the government shutdown creates opportunities for U.S. enemies and is compromising American national security.

The comments at a Senate hearing — by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and National Security Agency Director Gen. Keith Alexander — injected a potent new argument into the shutdown debate, which both parties seized on.

Lawmakers passed a bill, signed by President Barack Obama, to exempt the U.S. military from payless paydays as they stay on the job to defend the country.

However, more than 70% of civilian employees of U.S. intelligence agencies have been furloughed under federal guidelines.

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More News On U.S. Spy Chiefs Warning That The Government Shutdown Will Threaten National Security

Shutdown Jeopardizes National Security, Intelligence Officials Warn -- ABC News
Intelligence chiefs deem shutdown 'insidious' danger to U.S. -- Reuters
Clapper 'Can't Guarantee' America Will Remain Safe During the Shutdown -- The Atlantic
Clapper says shutdown damaging US spies’ ability to guard against threats -- Washington Post/AP
Intel chief: Shutdown threatens national security -- CBS
Government shutdown 'extremely damaging' to U.S. intelligence operations -- CNN
Furlough of 70% of Workers Damages U.S. Security, Spy Chief Says -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Intelligence Director James Clapper says shutdown hurts national security -- New York Daily News
70% of intelligence staff out in government shutdown -- Al Jazeera
US spy chief: Shutdown 'damaging' -- BBC
US Army and Intel. say shutdown already affecting operations, ‘damaging national security’ -- RT