News Headlines

Share to Twitter

Click the link below to share this story to Twitter.

Share to Twitter | Login to Twitter

Please note: If you are not logged in to Twitter on this device already, the story will not be shared. You may click the "Login" link to login to Twitter.

Back to Home

Obama to press GOP on averting sequester

Posted: 6:26 AM Feb 19, 2013
Reporter: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is pressing Congress to avert automatic budget cuts due to take effect in less than two weeks.

Obama will make his appeal during a White House event this morning. He will be joined by emergency responders, a group of workers the White House says could be affected if state and local governments lose federal money as a result of the cuts.

The $85 billion in across-the-board cuts is known as the sequester.

The White House wants to offset the sequester with a combination of targeted spending cuts and tax revenue. Senate Democrats offered a plan last week that is in line with the president's principles.

But that proposal drew an icy reception from Republicans, who oppose offsetting the sequester with more revenue.