Congresswoman Waters' Statement on Looming Sequester Deadline

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) issued the following statement today regarding the upcoming March 1 sequester deadline:

"The clock is ticking and the deadline is quickly approaching to avert across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester, which is scheduled to take effect on Friday, March 1. The $85 billion in automatic spending cuts will have a devastating impact on families throughout the country, and will slow economic growth and job creation.

"If sequestration occurs, services and programs that millions of Americans rely on like Meals on Wheels, Head Start, and rental assistance programs for low-income families would be affected. In addition, sequestration would eliminate funding for State and local grants that support firefighter positions and local emergency management personnel, force furloughs for patrol agents who secure our borders, and food inspectors who make certain that the food we eat is safe.

"Instead of placing significant services and the well-being of our citizens at risk, we need to work to avoid sequestration, and enact a balanced approach built on responsible spending cuts, increased revenues, and growth with jobs. As the President pointed out in his State of the Union Address, the focus of the next two years must be creating jobs and strengthening our economic growth. There are still too many unemployed Americans. Our top priority needs to be making America a magnet for new jobs.

"I urge my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to join with me and take action now on key proposals put forth by the President that would strengthen the economy including bringing good manufacturing jobs back to America, creating clean energy jobs, upgrading our infrastructure, and rebuilding our housing sector."

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