DeLauro Statement on Sequestration Going Into Effect Indiscriminate, Across-the-Board Cuts Will Harm Middle, Working Class Families

DeLauro Statement on Sequestration Going Into Effect Indiscriminate, Across-the-Board Cuts Will Harm Middle, Working Class Families WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today on the indiscriminate across-the-board cuts known as “sequestration” that are now going into effect due to Republicans’ refusal to negotiate a balanced solution. DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Education. Last month, she issued a report detailing the effects of sequestration, along with already-made cuts, to programs in those departments. “America should not be in the completely avoidable situation we are facing today. Instead of coming together and finding a balanced approach to our budget challenges that protects national security, mental health services, job training, education, child care and a litany of other programs, Republicans in Congress sat idly by, waiting for a deadline they claimed to abhor. And middle and working class American families will be paying the price. “These debilitating cuts will only damage our economic recovery, costing thousands of jobs. We should be ensuring millionaires pay their fair share and repealing tax loopholes for Big Oil and Big Agriculture, not kicking kids off of Head Start and firing teachers. Democrats put forth multiple plans to prevent this from happening, but we were rebuffed by the Republicans every step of the way. “For months, Democrats in Congress asked Republicans to come to the table and present a serious, sensible plan that tackled our debt and deficit in a balanced way. For months, the President tried to broker an agreement. And last November the American public made their opinion known at the ballot box. Congress needs to pass a responsible budget that protects the middle-class, seniors, women and the most vulnerable. We must act.”