On the recordMay 7, 2013
Sequestration--we must repeal the sequester now. Americans have lived under these budget cuts for over 2 months, and one thing is clear: sequestration is hurting Americans; it is hurting constituents in your district and in mine, damaging the American economy and killing American jobs. We must totally repeal sequestration now. Democrats are prepared to vote for full repeal. Madam Speaker, a piecemeal approach to reversing these cuts is simply the wrong way forward. We should not be in the business of picking winners and losers when it comes to restoring funding, like when we reversed the cuts to TSA because the delays created made front-page news. Our actions should not be driven by who makes the most noise, but rather what is best for the country and the American people. Lifesaving medical research funded by NIH has taken a $1.6 billion hit. Are we to think that research for cures to cancer, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes are less important than how quickly we move through airport lines? Madam Speaker, we need to send a clear message to the American people that we will not stand for arbitrary cuts. We must fully repeal sequestration now. ____________________
