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TImes-Journal | Shelby, Aderholt say sequester not good for nation

February 27, 2013

Shelby, Aderholt say sequester not good for nation
By Emily Hayes | Times-Journal | February 27, 2013

Unless Congress acts by Friday, a series of automatic cuts — called the sequester — will force spending reductions both for domestic programs and the military.

The White House, along with local Republican officials, seem to be in agreement on two things — spending cuts need to be made, but not through sequestration.

According to a White House press release, “There is no question that we need to cut the deficit, but the President believes it should be done in a balanced way that protects investments that the middle class relies on.

“Already, the President has worked with Congress to reduce the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion, but there’s more to do. The President has put forward a balanced plan to not only avoid the harmful effects of the sequester but also to reduce the deficit by more than $4 trillion in total.

“The President’s plan meets Republicans more than halfway and includes twice as many spending cuts as it does tax revenue from the wealthy.”

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, addressed the Committee on Appropriations on Feb. 14 and emphasized, “that although we must reduce spending, it should be done in a deliberate way.”

“This is why I opposed the bill that created the sequester in the first place. The sequester was supposed to be a last resort if the so-called Super Committee failed to agree upon measures to reduce the deficit. In the end, the Super Committee reached an impasse. It did not produce even a penny of deficit reductions.

“It’s been over one year since the Super Committee’s failure. Although we have seen the sequester coming, we haven’t taken any steps to fix it. In fact, Congress has only delayed it further. This situation presents a perfect opportunity for the President to exercise some leadership. Although he has called on Congress to act, he has not put forward a proposal of his own with specific options.”

Republican Congressman Robert Aderholt, who district includes DeKalb County, said spending cuts should focus on eliminating waste, fraud and abuse within the federal bureaucracy, rather then gutting the military.

“These automatic across-the-board cuts that were proposed by the White House could have a devastating effect on our state and our nation,” Aderholt said. “National security should not be used as a bargaining chip for the president to further pursue his tax and spend agenda. However, Washington can survive with less wasteful spending.”

The White House argues that many Republicans in Congress refuse to ask the wealthy to pay a little more by closing tax loopholes, and by not taking that step, are forcing our children, seniors, troops, military families and the entire middle class to bear the burden of deficit reduction.

Shelby said the warning signs that the country is moving toward a fiscal meltdown have been in place for some time.

“Unfortunately, Congress has repeatedly failed to heed these signs,” Shelby said. “It has been years since Congress has even had a regular-order budget process with appropriations measures agreed upon by both Chambers.

“Instead, important decisions on spending and taxes happen at the 11th hour behind closed doors. The American public deserves a transparent and accountable budget process that restores fiscal order.

“Sequestration should not be a part of the process. It certainly is no long-term solution to our spending problem. But, it should be a cautionary tale for Congress.

“The sequester we face today is the tip of the iceberg compared to the austerity measures that will be necessary in the future if Congress does not act soon on comprehensive fiscal reform. Comprehensive reform must include both tax reform and spending cuts. One without the other is only a partial solution.”

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