WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense exempted shipyard positions from the federal hiring freeze after U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer introduced legislation that would prohibit the freeze from affecting shipyard positions.
The Department of Defense outlined Thursday 16 categories of civilian jobs that are exempt from President Donald J. Trump’s 90-day hiring freeze.
The exemptions include positions relating to contingency missions, cybersecurity, space operations, cyber and intelligence life cycle operations, first responders, child care, shipyards and depots as well as other positions.
The hiring freeze was among Trump’s first actions as president. On Jan. 23, he signed an executive order calling for a 90-day across-the-board federal hiring freeze.
Positions critical to the nation’s security and safety were exempt, but it was unclear which positions were affected.
Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, introduced the legislation Jan. 30 that would “prohibit any hiring freeze from affecting any Department of Defense position at, or in support of, a public shipyard.”
The bill was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Kilmer represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
