A bipartisan coalition urge Congress to pass a Defense Appropriation Bill to avoid another Continuing Resolution (CR) & Sequestration. A bipartisan coalition of labor unions and maritime business owners affiliated with the Shipbuilding Council of America have jointly sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to pass a defense appropriations bill and avoid sequestration cuts before the Navy begins widespread lay-offs and cancellation of ship maintenance on February 15, 2013. • Up to 46,000 Department of Defense civilian employees will be immediately laid off. • Another 800,000 workers will face furlough days resulting in a 20 percent pay cut. • More than 100,000 people could lose jobs in the shipbuilding and repair industry and our supply chain.