[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               SEQUESTER

  (Mr. McNERNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight some of the 
negative effects the sequester has had on the residents in my district 
and across the country.
  Just yesterday, I met with a young cancer survivor who would not be 
here today without the help of critical research conducted by our 
Federal science and health agencies. Arbitrary, mindless cuts to the 
operating budgets of these agencies jeopardize lives and unfairly 
target many vulnerable populations.
  The sequester affects more than just research. It also affects 
domestic jobs and puts our public safety at risk. Right in my 
district's backyard there is a fire raging in Mount Diablo State Park. 
This fire has decimated thousands of acres of land and threatens local 
residents. Our resources are stretched too thin, with fire crews being 
split between several fires around the State, including the Rim fire in 
Yosemite National Park. It's critical that budgets do not limit the 
ability of our first responders to react to these disasters.
  On this 12th anniversary of 9/11, I urge my colleagues to work 
together to develop a rational, meaningful budget that moves America 
forward.

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