Sequester Countdown, What's at Stake
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On Capitol Hill, democrats are trying to make sequestration look terrible. Republicans claiming it doesn't have to be so bad. But both sides have all but given up trying to stop the automatic spending cuts. Video by kmir6.com
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It's four days until sequestration. $83 billion dollars in cross the board federal spending cuts. With lost jobs and lost services. In Washington, Congress is doing very little to prevent the cuts.
On Capitol Hill, democrats are trying to make sequestration look terrible. Republicans claiming it doesn't have to be so bad. But both sides have all but given up trying to stop the automatic spending cuts.
Lawmakers returned to the House, and the Senate is back in session.
With no deal, no talks reported underway to put off the sequester Friday, President Obama pressured republicans.
"These cuts do not have to happen. congress can turn em off anytime with just little bit of compromise," President Obama said.
Republicans won't compromise on taxes.
"Listen, the President says we have to have another tax increase in order to avoid the sequester.
Well, Mr. President - you got your tax increase. It's time to cut spending here in Washington," Rep. House Speaker John Boehner, said.
The White House sent out 50 reports detailing how the 83 billion in cuts would impact each state.
In California, 9,600 low-income students would lose their financial aid.
At the White House, governors were split about what lawmakers ought to do.
"They need to get our of that box that sits under the dome and understand that
this has real implications in peoples' lives," Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) Connecticut, said.
Republican Bobby Jindal of Louisiana says sequester is OK.
"It can be done without jeopardizing the economy. It can be done without jeopardizing critical services. The President needs to stop campaigning. Stop trying to scare the American people," Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) Louisiana, said.
Scare? This was the Obama Secretary of Homeland Security Monday.
"I don't think we can maintain the same level of security at all places around the country with sequester," Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, said.
Most agree, the cuts are coming unless lawmakers can come to an agreement.
Housing vouchers, shelter programs, and rural rent assistance are also on the chopping block -- meaning 125,000 people could be at risk of homelessness.
The Department of Education would also cut $60 million from a $1.2 billion dollar-aid program for K-12 school districts on federal lands, including Indian reservations.
--Adrianna Weingold
aweingold@kmir6.com
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