Sequester

Floor Speech

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight some of the negative effects the sequester has had on the residents in my district and across the country.

Just yesterday, I met with a young cancer survivor who would not be here today without the help of critical research conducted by our Federal science and health agencies. Arbitrary, mindless cuts to the operating budgets of these agencies jeopardize lives and unfairly target many vulnerable populations.

The sequester affects more than just research. It also affects domestic jobs and puts our public safety at risk. Right in my district's backyard there is a fire raging in Mount Diablo State Park. This fire has decimated thousands of acres of land and threatens local residents. Our resources are stretched too thin, with fire crews being split between several fires around the State, including the Rim fire in Yosemite National Park. It's critical that budgets do not limit the ability of our first responders to react to these disasters.

On this 12th anniversary of 9/11, I urge my colleagues to work together to develop a rational, meaningful budget that moves America forward.

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