[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12285]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             SEQUESTRATION

  (Mr. WITTMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, Congress faces looming deadlines at the end 
of this year, set to take effect in the first days of 2013. Just as we 
ring in a new year with a renewed sense of optimism, if Congress does 
not act, looming defense cuts will cripple our military and this 
Nation.
  Our military will be forced to cut an additional 10 percent from its 
budgets; an additional 10 percent of resources supporting our troops 
deployed overseas, fighting for our freedoms; an additional 10 percent 
of budgets supporting new technologies, training, and ships already 
lacking maintenance and which are behind schedule; an additional 10 
percent of our national security.
  While the House passed, and I proudly supported, legislation in May 
to avert these cuts, action is still needed by the Senate and the 
administration.
  Why does Congress continue to wait? Why does Congress procrastinate 
on an issue so pressing and so important to this Nation? Who will 
answer the call?
  Leaving this issue to the last minute is irresponsible, and failure 
is not an option. I urge the leaders of this Nation to stop the delay.

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