JONES ACTS TO STOP HARMFUL CUTS TO MILITARY AND ENC BASES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) joined House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) in cosponsoring H.R. 3662, The Down Payment to Protect National Security Act.  H.R. 3662 would institute a one year delay in $500 billion in harmful ‘sequestration’ cuts to America’s military which are required by the 2011 Budget Control Act (S. 365).  The delay would give Congress time to craft an alternative deficit reduction proposal that would not harm the ability of our armed forces to defend this nation.  The delay would be paid for by a 10% reduction in the federal workforce through attrition.   

“I have long led the fight to cut federal spending, but devastating our military is not the way to do it,” said Jones.  “If these cuts go through, there could be additional, significant cuts to end strength, as well as a reduction in procurement of essential new tools like the F-35.  There could also be dramatic cuts in healthcare and other benefits and services for members of our armed forces, and potentially another BRAC round.  That’s just not acceptable for Eastern North Carolina, or quite frankly, America.”    

The 10-year/$500 billion in military ‘sequestration’ cuts required by the 2011 Budget Control Act (BCA), a bill which Congressman Jones voted against, would be on top of the over $400 billion in Department of Defense (DoD) cuts that President Obama had announced prior to passage of the BCA.   

“The DoD is already doing its part to reduce our nation’s fiscal deficit.  The fat is being trimmed,” said Congressman Jones.  “Making further cuts through sequestration will do nothing but pose a serious threat to our national security and put added strain on our Armed Forces.  A line must be drawn.”