The “sequestration” drama continues. President Barack Obama blasted Senate Republicans for playing what he called “political games” and for blocking the Democrats' plan to replace automatic spending cuts, according to a Feb. 28 Associated Press report.
Senate Republicans objected to $55 billion worth of new taxes in the Democratic plan that would have replaced the cuts with tax increases on millionaires and spending reductions over 10 years. The president did not hold back, accusing Republicans of cutting services for key groups, including children, the elderly and military, instead of tying up loopholes for rich Americans.
While the Republicans suggested their own plan giving the president more flexibility to find $85 billion in spending cuts this year, that plan was killed by Democrats and the tea party conservatives on Thursday.
According to Politico, the president warned of damages that sequester cuts would have on the nation’s security while speaking in Virginia. “These cuts are wrong,” he said. “They’re not smart, they’re not fair, they are a self-inflicted wound that doesn’t have to happen.” Not blind to the political risk some Republicans face for siding with him, President Obama noted, “That’s not always healthy, being with me.”
“There are too many Republicans in Congress right now who refuse to compromise even an inch when it comes to closing tax loopholes and special interest tax breaks,” Obama said. “Keep in mind, nobody is asking them to raise income tax rates. All we’re asking is for them to consider closing tax loopholes and deductions.”
He concluded with, “The one thing about being president is after four years you become pretty humble,” Obama said. “You think that maybe you wouldn’t but actually you do, when you realize you cant do things by yourself, that’s not how our system works. You’ve got to have the help and the goodwill of Congress. And what that means is you have to make sure the constituents of the members of Congress are putting some pressure and making sure they’re doing the right thing, putting an end to some of these political games.”
The discussion continues on Friday.
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