Tag: Steve Benen

Sequestration cuts continue to take their toll, even on firefighting

Sequestration cuts continue to take their toll, even on firefighting

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Wed Jul 3, 2013 10:09 AM EDT

Associated Press

Ordinarily on the 4th of July, many U.S. military bases host fireworks displays for the community, but this year, sequestration cuts have caused several cancellations. Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg, and Shaw Air Force Base, among others, have scrapped the traditional celebrations, citing “fiscal challenges.”

But maybe you don’t care about fireworks displays. Fine. How about the federal court system? Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts explained over the weekend the sequester has hit the U.S. judiciary “particularly hard” and has had a “direct impact” on the ability of the courts to meet public needs. Continue reading “Sequestration cuts continue to take their toll, even on firefighting”

Was the Sequester Obama’s Idea? Who Cares?

Was the Sequester Obama’s Idea? Who Cares?

By February 19, 2013

The Great Sequester Showdown of 2013 (also known as Fiscal Wars: Episode Ad Nauseum) is in its final stretch, with big, harmful spending cuts due to hit in 10 days and each side seeming to settle on its closing argument in the fight. President Obama made his case at the White House today, surrounded by firefighters and first responders. His view, in short: Let’s avoid the sequester by replacing it with deficit reduction that includes both spending cuts and new tax revenues. The short version of the GOP case is: The sequester was Obama’s idea.

This from The Hill this morning:

Republicans are also getting ready to battle by reminding voters it was the White House that conceived of the sequester—the $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions, including lower interest payments, that were included as part of the deal in 2011 to raise the debt ceiling. Continue reading “Was the Sequester Obama’s Idea? Who Cares?”

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