John Yarmuth: “Sequestration has been in effect for 41 days, and already it is hurting American families. Just outside my district at…”

“Sequestration has been in effect for 41 days, and already it is hurting American families. Just outside my district at Fort Knox, more than 5,000 civilian employees face at least 2 weeks of furlough because of these indiscriminate cuts in Federal spending. A constituent of mine whose husband is a military technician for the Kentucky National Guard said her family will lose close to 20 percent of their income because of furloughs. He is one of at least 460 technicians in my district who will be furloughed. I've talked with a school principal who's forced to lay off special education teachers because of sequestration. I've met with local social service organizations who are concerned that sequestration will eliminate entire Federal grant programs, jeopardizing jobs and essential services for Louisville families. And officials at the University of Louisville are worried that cuts to their research will interrupt lifesaving medical advances. Mr. Speaker, sequestration was a threat, not a policy. That's why I voted against it. It now is clear that the real threat of sequestration is to middle class families who can least afford another recession. Congress should enact a budget that eliminates sequestration and spares even more American families the pain of this ill-advised austerity. ____________________”