Janice Hahn: “When I first came to Congress, I didn't vote for that bill that created the threat of sequestration. I thought it was a…”

“When I first came to Congress, I didn't vote for that bill that created the threat of sequestration. I thought it was a bad idea then, and I think it's a bad idea now. Automatic triggers that institute automatic cuts across the board in spending in this country are a bad idea. This manmade crisis is now threatening both our Nation's economy and our national security. Here are just a couple of ways that that would happen. Ten percent of the FAA's workforce of 40,000 would be furloughed on any given day, resulting in reduced air traffic controllers, longer delays, and economic losses for air transportation and tourism. Fewer air traffic controllers means fewer flights, which means less tourism, and that means fewer jobs in hotels and restaurants--a ripple effect that could cripple our economy. The Coast Guard would be cut by nearly 25 percent, jeopardizing maritime and navigation safety, the safe flow of commerce along U.S. waterways, and drastically reduce our ability to fight drug trafficking. The clock is ticking once again. We cannot take our economy and our safety backwards at a time when the American people have worked to build it up. Let's act now to get rid of this terrible sequestration. ____________________”