Roby addresses sequestration

As the March 1 deadline before automatic federal budget cuts grows nearer, area leaders are getting more and more concerned about the effect it will have on the local economy.

The cuts could have a direct impact on the Wiregrass area due to its proximity to Fort Rucker.

U.S. Congresswoman Martha Roby met with area leaders Feb. 20, at the annual Enterprise Coffee Geneva Economic Development Corporation Annual Investors Meeting.

“I know there is a lot of concern in this room as March 1 gets closer and closer,” Roby said.

In 2011, Congress signed the Budget Control Act, which created a 12-member committee assigned to the task of formulating a plan to reduce federal spending.

Roby, who did not vote for the Budget Control Act, said if the committee failed, which it did, the sequestration would take place.

“This sequester is dangerous,” she said. “It’s a bad idea.”

The sequestration could result in half a trillion dollars in cuts during the next 10 years to defense discretionary spending.

The potential cuts would “hollow out our military,” which will affect not only Alabama, but every state in the country, she said.

About $54.7 billion could be cut each year to defense programs.

The cuts would reduce annual flight hours by 37,000 and put up to 500 pilots on the ground.

Roby said this is a problem President Barack Obama created and one he should fix.

The House has presented two solutions to the problem, both of which, Roby said, were turned down by the White House.

“We’re not going to tax our way out of debt,” Roby said.

Roby said the president has already gotten spending cuts and tax increases, and now it’s time to look at real spending reform.

“It’s unconscionable to use our men and women in uniform as leverage,” Roby said. “It’s unacceptable.”