[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 26, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             SEQUESTRATION

  (Mr. CUMMINGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the harmful 
spending cuts that will threaten our economy and a range of vital 
services for children, seniors, small businesses, and our men and women 
in uniform. I've just come from a hearing in the Coast Guard 
Subcommittee, where we learned that in fiscal year 2011, our already 
underfunded Coast Guard failed to meet one-fourth of its non-homeland 
security mission targets and more than half of its homeland security 
mission targets.
  The Coast Guard's ability to protect our homeland and ensure the 
safety of life at sea will not improve when millions of dollars are cut 
from the budget. Sequestration will also reduce our mobility in the 
skies. If we do not act by Friday, the vast majority of the FAA's 
47,000 employees will face extensive furloughs. This will result in 
longer delays and disruptions at airports, canceled flights, and 
impeded commerce.
  With only 3 days left, our House Republicans must act now to allow a 
vote on the Democrats' balanced proposal to avert these damaging and 
indiscriminate spending cuts. We cannot afford to wait a moment longer.

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