[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2012-2013]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             SEQUESTRATION

  (Mr. GARCIA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share my deep concern with my 
colleagues of what these dangerous sequestration cuts mean to my 
community.
  I have the honor to represent the suburbs of Miami-Dade County and 
the Florida Keys. We are a community of middle class families, and my 
constituents will be hurt if the leadership of this Congress fails to 
act.
  Here are a few examples: south Florida's economy depends on the flow 
of tourists. It is an engine which fuels us. If sequestration goes into 
effect, TSA and customs agents will be furloughed, passengers 
throughout the country will miss their connecting flights, and we

[[Page 2013]]

will have fewer tourists and hurt business.
  Up to 600 civilians who work in the Florida Keys Naval Base will be 
furloughed. This means less money for everyday needs in the economy of 
the Keys. Students on work-study programs at schools like Miami-Dade 
College and FIU will see their funding cut. The leadership of this 
Congress owes the American people an explanation of why we have gotten 
to this point.
  There is a better alternative that will create jobs, and that is H.R. 
699. I respectfully ask unanimous consent to bring up this balanced 
budget bill that replaces the sequester with balanced cuts.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As the Chair has previously advised, that 
request cannot be entertained absent appropriate clearance.

                          ____________________