WASHINGTON — Facing an end of the week deadline, President Barack Obama said Monday that Congress can avert sweeping across-the-board cuts with "just a little bit of compromise," as he sought to stick lawmakers with the blame if the budget ax falls.
Speaking to the nation's governors, Obama acknowledged that the impact of the $85 billion in cuts may not be felt immediately. But he also said the uncertainty already is impacting the economy, as the Pentagon and other agencies get ready to furlough employees.
"At some point we've got to do some governing," Obama said. "And certainly what we can't do is keep careening from manufactured crisis to manufactured crisis."
Despite Obama's urgent rhetoric, there is little indication that the White House and Congress will reach a deal by Friday's deadline. Obama wants to offset the so-called sequester through a combination of targeted spending cuts and revenue increases, but Republicans oppose any plan that would include tax hikes.
The $85 billion budget-cutting mechanism could affect everything from commercial flights to classrooms to meat inspections. Domestic and defense spending alike would be trimmed, leading to furloughs for hundreds of thousands of government workers and contractors.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said the cuts would harm the readiness of U.S. fighting forces. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said travelers could see delayed flights. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said 70,000 fewer children from low-income families would have access to Head Start programs. And furloughed meat inspectors could leave plants idled.
Despite the Friday deadline, there are no serious negotiations happening between the White House and Congress. Obama is focused instead are trying to rally public support for his stance in the debate by warning Americans of the dire consequences of the across-the-board cuts.
The president told the governors that cuts would "''slow our economy, eliminate good jobs, and leave a lot of folks who are already pretty thinly stretched scrambling to figure out what to do."
The spending cuts have frustrated governors attending the National Governors Association meeting in Washington. They contend it has created widespread uncertainty in the economy and hampered economic recovery in their states.
"The No. 1 risk, in my view, to the continuing economic comeback of Michigan is the federal government," Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican and former business executive, said in an interview. Snyder said many companies remain in limbo on whether to invest in their business because of the financial uncertainty.
"What's the likely outcome? Are they going to put in a solution that's set for two or three years or are they simply going to say now it's going to move to the fall? It's not good," he said.
The White House, seeking to ratchet up pressure on congressional lawmakers, gave the governors state-by-state reports on the impact of the cuts on their constituencies.
White House officials pointed to Ohio — home of House Speaker John Boehner — as one state that would be hit hard: $25.1 million in education spending and another $22 million for students with disabilities. Some 2,500 children from low-income families would also be removed from Head Start programs.
Officials said their analysis showed Kentucky would lose $93,000 in federal funding for a domestic abuse program, meaning 400 fewer victims being served in Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's home state. Georgia, meanwhile, would face a $286,000 budget cut to its children's health programs, meaning almost 4,200 fewer children would receive vaccinations against measles and whooping cough.
The White House compiled its state-by-state reports from federal agencies and its own budget office. The numbers reflect the impact of the cuts this year. Unless Congress acts by Friday, $85 billion in cuts are set to take effect from March to September.
As to whether states could move money around to cover shortfalls, the White House said that depends on state budget structures and the specific programs. The White House did not have a list of which states or programs might have flexibility.
Republican leaders were not impressed by the state-by-state reports.
"The White House needs to spend less time explaining to the press how bad the sequester will be and more time actually working to stop it," said Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner.
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Comments » 174
SunStar writes:
What is wrong in tightening the belts? We all know lots of money is being wasted every year. We also need to start paying down our debt. The country cannot afford it anymore unless we pass it on to our kids and they would curse us later on, for all the mess.
KennyR (Inactive) writes:
Another "end of the world disaster"? Really?
lb5361 writes:
WOW! WHOA!
Looks like Ms. Judd might just have a shot afterall!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02...#
beerbong writes:
Same old thing. It's like a soap opera. It will go down to the last minute and they will all walk out of a meeting patting each other on the back like they have really done something.****We elect these over paid over glamorized monkey's to do a job. We do need to cut spending, and a good start would be every one of their pet projects we have poured Billions into. The waste in Washington Is unreal. These SOB's need to be made accountable for every dime spent,and stop all the drama. Right now I'm PO'd at both parties.
hoperequired writes:
They already DID have a compromise!! He had a deal with Boehner, and when Boehner went to SIGN it, Obama backed out at the last minute!! (Per Frontline on PBS before the State of the Union speech)
angrytxpyr writes:
The "sweeping across the board cuts" are insignificant, insufficient and should be a starting point of reeling in our Governments appetite for spending other peoples money.
Add in the following cuts and action
Suspend pay and benefits for Senators, Representatives and president until the time a balanced budget is produced and signed into law.
Impose and across the board 15% pay reduction for all Federal Government employees with the exception of military personnel.
Discontinue all foreign aid payments to Egypt, Yemen, UAE, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and another terrorist supporting nation.
Open up all domestic and Canadian energy resources and pipeline for exploration and development. Tell the Middle East oil producers to pound sand, order all US citizens and companies to vacate those regions.
Place China on notice that the economic and electronic terrorism that originates in their country and effects the US and World economy will lead to the USA declaring any and all debt obligation and future trade agreements null and void.
Discontinue any talks with Iran and N. Korea on their nuclear ambitions and advise them of pending disarmament through force.
Advise Ms. Putin and her Comrades they are either with us or stuck with the company they keep.
Reestablish an aggressive nuclear and other large weapons development program. Provide strategic and effective defense programs for all our worldwide friends.
One last action would be to drop a nuke on Iran and one on N.Korea just to provide a clear and accurate demonstration to these IDIOTS as to just what can happen if the continue.
Sanity writes:
When you sleep with the devil don't complain later when you wake up with herpes.
Boehner and the rest of the Republicans need to stand up to this narcissist of a President and let him own this.
Sanity writes:
Yet we still vote them back in?
Coastal writes:
Obama’s sequestration idea doesn’t reduce spending one dime.
Any cuts in service will be because the Obama wants to make you think that the country can’t survive even a 1% cut in an ever growing out of control spending problem.
Magic81 writes:
Wow--glad that the source decided to "did a little deeper" to find out that McConnell apparently did the same, so to speak--. So the thing they always used to hammer Barney Frank for is, apparently, a bi-partisan issue.
Won't effect the outcome of his re-election effort--he is going to be defeated regardless. Might make for some interesting reporting by the "liberal media" as they like to call it.
Therealist writes:
My favorite part:
"At some point we've got to do some governing," Obama said.
- Barack Obama, in his second 4 year term.
Magic81 writes:
I had a nightmare once that had all of this--Thank God I woke up.
Quietcat writes:
My favorite part:
The king of the manufactured crisis saying, "we can't keep careening form one manufactured crisis to another". Now that's rich.
lb5361 writes:
We are all not as stupid as you "realist"....Give him nothing. Say no to everything. Then blame him for getting nothing done (though this President has fixed alot of what Dick and W did to destroy the country).
What is that saying? Oh, you can fool some of the people some of the time......
The R's are toast in 2014 and beyond!
Therealist writes:
Great post A+++ will read again
Coastal writes:
Democrat Deep cuts means spending climbs by $2.4 trillion over the next 10 years instead of $2.5 trillion.
Coastal writes:
Sequestration would cut $2 million out of the $20 million budget of the National Drug Intelligence Center.
Only problem is that agency closed in June of 2012. Maybe the Obama needs a real budget so he actually knows where all our money is going.
No leadership.
DinNaples writes:
To our President compromise means a conservative must compromise his own values and simply give in to his wishes.
Beachglow writes:
The president promised to make cuts. He knows it's just a matter of time as he continues to kick the can down the road and not have the intestinal fortitude to do it. Glad that Congress is holding his feet to the fire this time, five years later.
This constant "the sky is falling" from our "Chicken Little" prez needs to be over and done.
KennyR (Inactive) writes:
That is taking an assumption their values are different. I hate to be observant, but every few months congress comes up with the same crisis with a different name. The faction currently out of power will put up a big stink, but the spending bill always passes. TARP, Stimulus, QE[1-3], Debt Ceiling , Fiscal Cliff, Sequestration, you get the picture. It doesn't matter who is in charge. The only difference is Democrats admit to over-spending.
lb5361 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Exposer writes:
You got that "right". That 1% RICH in particular. Oh well, the Cayman Islands is always willing to do "business".
Exposer writes:
Like John Boehner said, "I got 98% of what I wanted", and he was speaking "conservatively.
Obama_Killed_the_Twinkie writes:
Here's a compromise. O'bama resigns, we, the citizens of the USA, will start hiring again.
DinNaples writes:
Correct, but I do not assume that all Republicans are conservative.
badgerfan writes:
The 'grand Bargain" in 2011 was stopped by Boehner when he went back to the Tea party and they said NO NO NO......
The latest "tax increase" was in actuality the expiration of the Bush tax cuts...nothing more nothing less...
The Republicans have ALWAYS fought any defense cuts...this is their way of thinking the President will cave in on entitlements...After doubling defense spending in 10 years and having 50,000 troops in countries like Germany, France and Japan we can cut our defense spending with intelligence!!!
If we had passed both Obama's jobs bills we would be well on the way to a solid recovery and more tax dollars in the economy!
The GOP has one goal.....anti-Obama and blasted be the USA,,,
unfatcat writes:
This Administration will not make cuts. They've never made cuts. How can they when Obama's workforce (IRS, TSA, EPA, School System, etc., etc., etc.) keeps growing and needing taxpayers to pay more for more salaries. The best we can hope for is that he doesn't add another agency. Oh, wait...I can feel a new one coming to tax our carbon emissions soon. Of course that we come after he puts a team together to get toy guns out of the hands of children.....Naw, there won't be cuts.
Bramble writes:
The Department of Defense is spending tens of millions on breast cancer research? Why, when NIH and so many others are doing the same?
There are plenty of places to cut the fat, but federal agencies won't unless they have to. Now they will have to.
They act like our public universities who prefer revenue increases to making difficult decisions.
GRILZE writes:
How about cutting the budget on the Obama's need to hang out with athlete's and actors, if they want to support someone maybe they should stand in line for cheese and medicaid, or is that beneath them? Too much? to racist? or right on?
cozyboy writes:
He forgot the campaign season is over. He won. He signed the effin bill along with congress. Actually he'll be campaigning till his last day in office. By then at least 20 trillion in debt.
chriskh500 writes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
jbm9 writes:
He's a disgrace to the country
chriskh500 writes:
We currently spend more on defense than the next 13 countries combined. Defense spending accounts for about 20 percent of all federal spending — nearly as much as Social Security, or the combined spending for Medicare and Medicaid. The sheer size of the defense budget — $680 billion in the current fiscal year
We're done in Iraq....almost done in Afghanistan.....why do we need to spend more on our military than the next 13 countries combined?
http://www.pgpf.org/Chart-Archive/005...
Magic81 writes:
Correct--I wonder if those so strongly opposed to Obama PRETEND not to know what you point out, or simply son't know what they're talking about. And keep in mind that those between $250,000 and $500,000 STILL have their Bush tax cuts (as well as all below that of course)--so the Republicans STILL won;y yield an inch on closing tax loopholes, however symbolic. Yet they claim to care about deficits.
It's called "a balanced approach". And you KNOW that there are Moderate Republicans worrying that they too will be included in the 2014 "Purge"
The voters will know the difference and which party to hold accountable in 20014 and 2016.
Magic81 writes:
??? And you, of course, can prove this??
chriskh500 writes:
so how much should we cut on military spending? I heard Obama say today we have an aircraft carrier in port that should be in the middle east....do you agree?
chriskh500 writes:
Obamas "jobs bill"? what a joke!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/f...
Just give us a balanced budget!
Column18 writes:
Obama proposed sequestration and now wants more taxes rather than the cuts he proposed. Blames others, falsely, because he knows there are lots of idiots who will believe nonsense.
mowog writes:
+1
I agree with every word!
chriskh500 writes:
kicking the can down the road is the norm....Ilinois....his home state...the worst credit rating in the USA! Thanks one time senator (IL-D) Obama!!
http://www.illinoisisbroke.com/news
Magic81 writes:
So easy to do from your home laptop---and a +1-The Blind leading the Blind
mjohn2659 writes:
Our spending this year is projected to be 45% more than our revenue. When you go shopping, do you spend $145 when you only have $100?
BillyBob1 writes:
You can't possibly be serious. Let me get this right, Bush was the president and had a democrat controlled house and senate. Bush was responsible (accurately) for all of the destruction to the economy however, Obama is the President with a democrat controlled house and senate for the first two years and a democrat senate and republican house the second two years but somehow it is the republicans that have caued all of this? You really are a special kind of stupid aren't you?
Exposer writes:
BillyBob1, when it comes to "stupid", you're an EXPERT. Your manufactured "facts" are pure RUSH rhetoric gleaned for political purposes. You only have to say it is so, and if anyone points out you are incorrect you just ignore them and go on to the next statement you hope to be accepted as true, right?
donnaw writes:
Exposer......BillyBob is correct. But I guess it's easier for you to call people names than to argue facts.
squril writes:
Biden flys back and forth to his home every weekend-We pay for it. Biden flys to play golf w/ Obama, We pay for it. Michele goes skiing and shopping in France on Sundays which is aginst their law- w/ the kids-friends staff, WE pay for it-Palosi and other staff personal has cars, and other allowences we pay for it....Why are these "intitlements" that the we the American residence taxpayes are paying for not being cut? I can't affore these trips-and they are not paying for my gas and car? The whit house nees to give up some of there "Intitlements". All they shoud get is a paycheck.and 2weeks vacation like the rest of the tax-paying Anericans. Non of the nonsense of "Life-time" pay checks once they retire. Who thought of that one? It is not fair. Also the same losey insurance for all-no special treatments since Obama thinks it' so great-let him use it for his family.
squril writes:
He' still blaming Bush-That was 8 years ago-Who can I blame at my job for something that was not done right 2 employee's ago??!!!All he's done is lie. He keeps asking for more money-STOP SPENDING. Stop using Airforse one as your personal taxi. It's not It is for offical use only.Let him pay the gas bill for all his trips and his wife's trips.
PMC_Rider writes:
Frankly, I mostly agree with the first 80% of your post. But the last bits? Are you that crazed and blood-thirsty? There are millions of Iranians who just want to live peaceful lives and wish us no harm. I don't know anything about N. Korea, but I can't imagine that every one of them wishes us death either.
Saying we should "just drop a nuke" on the citizens and wildlife of some far-off land because you've managed to demonize and dehumanize an entire culture and disregard an entire region of this planet is truly insane. Melting innocent people with radiation poisoning for being born where they were? What the hell is wrong with you? Disgusting.
Quietcat writes:
Instead of making comments that only you think are clever or funny why not respond to Obama's absurd comments where he pretends he's not involved in, and the main architect of, the "manufactured crises" he wants to stop? It's amazing to me that he gets away with this stuff, but then again when the majority of his supporters are stupid and/or getting gov't handouts what can you expect?
Quietcat writes:
I'm curious- what the heck is a "jobs bill"? What exactly is in a "jobs bill" that you say would create a "solid recovery". I would really like an answer.
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