Groups begin lobbying on non-defense sequestration cuts

• By Elahe Izadi National Journal

Just about everyone on K Street is ramping up their sequestration and fiscal cliff lobbying efforts, not just those concerned about defense cuts.

Health care lobbyists have already been working the Hill. Now, massive coalitions of labor, religious, small business and social service groups are forming, sending letters and setting up meetings decrying across-the-board cuts while also calling for revenue-raising measures.

The Coalition on Human Needs is one such group, which earlier this week sent a letter to every member on the Hill, which was signed by 1,900 organizations. The letter calls for protecting low-income Americans and decries cuts to the government workforce, education and programs such as Head Start and food stamps. They also push for an expiration of Bush-era tax cuts on American households making more than $250,000 a year, and for some — but not across-the-board — cuts to defense spending. Continue reading “Groups begin lobbying on non-defense sequestration cuts”