The Press Enterprise: Automatic budget cuts threaten March, Takano says
Training flight hours at March Air Reserve Base would be cut 18 percent and contractors could lose base-related business if across-the-board federal spending cuts go into effect March 1, Rep. Mark Takano said Thursday, Feb. 14.
Takano, D-Riverside, outlined the consequences of the $1.2 billion worth of cuts, known as sequestration, in a news release. Lawmakers agreed to sequestration to provide an incentive to Republicans and Democrats to reach a budget deal.
If sequestration takes effect, the Congressional Budget Office estimates economic growth would be cut by half, according to Takano. George Mason University projected 2.14 million jobs would be lost, half of those coming from small businesses, the news release read.
A first-term congressman, Takano blamed Republicans for stalling negotiations to avoid sequestration by sending Congress on recess.
“Time is running out,” Takano said. “I urge the House Republican Leadership to bring the House back to Washington so we can avoid sequestration and harm to our economic recovery.”