For Immediate Release
February 11, 2013

AFA Urges Community Support to Help Stop Sequestration

ARLINGTON, Va. -- As we get closer to March 1st, we approach our #1 enemy – namely ourselves. Without Congressional and Presidential action, automatic budget cuts – called sequestration – of $1.2 Trillion will kick in. The amount of the reduction in the defense budget will be about $55B a year until 2021 with 42.7B in the remaining seven months of this year. This cut will be on top of the $50B per year reduction that has already occurred. The Air Force share of this hit is $12.4B over the seven months remaining in the Fiscal Year.

The short-term effects are devastating. Up to 800,000 DOD employees could be put on a four-day work week starting in April resulting in reduced pay for each person. Flight hours will have to be reduced by a third, weapon system sustainment by as much as 18% and aircraft availability and mission capable rates will fall significantly. The impact nationally according to a 2012 study by Dr. Stephen Fuller at George Mason University is 2 million jobs lost. I cannot find one example where we cut defense to this degree while, at the same time, fighting a war. I frequently remind people the Preamble to the Constitution says “ … provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare …” And, in reality, the verbs (at least here in Washington) seem to be swapped. We need to have our voices heard on the effects of sequestration and the ongoing continuing resolution on our national defense and military readiness. Secretary Panetta stated as a result of sequestration, “instead of being a first rate power in the world, we’d turn into a second rate power.” It is irresponsible to let this happen after so much sacrifice.

So, we ask of you all to please let your voices be heard. We need to help let the American people know the negative effects of sequestration on national security and the hardships this will cause.

Contacting your Congressional Delegation: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml