The Interior Department has barred all non-essential travel due to the sequestration of the federal budget.

The directive means Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn, the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, wasn't able to travel to Arizona for the National Indian Gaming Association convention. "As a cost saving measure, the Department has eliminated all travel that is not deemed ‘mission crucial,'" Washburn said in a message that was circulated at the meeting, Indian Country Today reported.

Sequestration isn't preventing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar from a farewell tour of sorts, though. He's visiting five states where President Barack Obama declared new national monuments.

A media advisory has Salazar on the road until April 2. He originally planned to leave the Obama administration by the end of this month but the Senate has yet to confirm Sally Jewell as his replacement.

Get the Story:
Sequestration Grounds Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (Indian Country Today 3/27)

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