Shaun Donovan: “I hope you can see that this funding is producing real results at the same time it is helping to fundamentally transform…”

I would really describe [sequestration], in many cases, as mindless austerity, cutting just simply straight across the budget without reflecting, really, which are the critical investments.

I have been enormously proud to chair this effort as we work to achieve two basic goals: one, to get the assistance that you all fought so hard to make a reality to communities as quickly as possible, to meet the immediate needs; and…

Not only have we seen the slowest growth in healthcare costs over the last 3 years that we have seen in 50 years, but the budget goes farther.

Don't take my word for it; the Joint Chiefs have spoken out, I think, very effectively over the last few weeks that our national security would be put at risk by a return to sequestration.