Mike Levin: “These cuts that would result from sequestration are massive not just in defense but also in nondefense discretionary…”

“These cuts that would result from sequestration are massive not just in defense but also in nondefense discretionary areas. The purpose of that threat is to hopefully prevent it from taking place, as with any other kind of a sword of Damocles held over people's heads--our heads--that if we don't reach some kind of an agreement with our special committee, the group of 12 that is working so hard to come up with a reduction that will meet the requirements of the bill, we would then have a sequestration, across-the-board cuts, which are not the rational way to budget, are massive, Draconian--to use the word which the Senator from Arizona quoted. And that is true in both defense and nondefense. But, again, the purpose of having that sequestration process in place is, hopefully, an incentive so that it doesn't take place. Mr. McCAIN. Finally, I would ask the chairman, we have met the requirements of the Appropriations Committee with this additional $20 billion reduction in this ``new'' legislation. Then it seems it would be only appropriate that the Appropriations Committee meet the provisions of authorization that are in the authorization bill. In other words, I am told there are some differences in the Appropriations Committee's bill as far as what the authorizing committee's responsibilities are. I hope the Appropriations Committee would address those differences in deference to our role as authorizers.”