Lucas Statement on Failure of Senate Democrats to Pass a Sequester Replacement Bill
Washington, DC,
February 28, 2013
Chairman Frank Lucas released the following statement after the U.S. Senate failed to pass a replacement bill for the sequester that is slated to take effect March 1.
MEDIA CONTACT: Today, Chairman Frank Lucas released the following statement after the U.S. Senate failed to pass a replacement bill for the sequester that is slated to take effect March 1. "It is disappointing that the Senate has failed to pass a replacement for the sequester, and more importantly has failed to pass a budget in nearly four years. But, I am pleased they rejected the Reid-Stabenow plan, which unfairly targeted agriculture. America's farmers and ranchers deserve better than to be used as a pawn in a political game. Background: Sequestration is an across-the-board reduction in spending mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011. In an effort to turn off sequestration, which is estimated at $85.3 billion for fiscal year 2013, the Senate Democrats proposed raising taxes, cutting defense spending, and cutting the traditional farm safety net. The proposed cuts to the traditional farm safety net are $31 billion, which is a 53 percent reduction. ### |