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Sequestration

Floor Speech

Date: Feb. 26, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Defense Military Personnel Government Budget and Spending

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the harmful spending cuts that will threaten our economy and a range of vital services for children, seniors, small businesses, and our men and women in uniform. I've just come from a hearing in the Coast Guard Subcommittee, where we learned that in fiscal year 2011, our already underfunded Coast Guard failed to meet one-fourth of its non-homeland security mission targets and more than half of its homeland security mission targets.

The Coast Guard's ability to protect our homeland and ensure the safety of life at sea will not improve when millions of dollars are cut from the budget. Sequestration will also reduce our mobility in the skies. If we do not act by Friday, the vast majority of the FAA's 47,000 employees will face extensive furloughs. This will result in longer delays and disruptions at airports, canceled flights, and impeded commerce.

With only 3 days left, our House Republicans must act now to allow a vote on the Democrats' balanced proposal to avert these damaging and indiscriminate spending cuts. We cannot afford to wait a moment longer.


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