On the recordMarch 5, 2013
Let me begin by saying that the district I have the honor to represent in south Florida is made up of middle class families in neighborhoods like Kendall, Westchester, and the Florida Keys. The families who live in this region don't care about ideological debates of the left or right. They simply know the difference between right and wrong. And, ladies and gentlemen, the sequestration is wrong. The Keys Reporter reported that over 600 civilian workers at Key West Naval Base will be furloughed. This will hurt small businesses and families. Reports also say funding for work-study programs at schools like Miami Dade College, Florida International University, and Florida Keys Community College will be cut. The Miami Herald reported that air traffic control workers at Opa Locka Airport will be furloughed as of the beginning of April. I respectfully ask my colleagues to put their differences aside and get to work. I urge the Speaker to bring up H.R. 699, a balanced bill to replace the sequester with spending cuts and revenues. ____________________
