Sequestration Hurts Northern California Air Force Bases, Flood Protection and Research Universities, Warns Congressman Garamendi
February 27, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC – Taking to the Floor of the United States House of Representatives today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA) gave an account of several ways Northern California will be hurt by the sequester’s across-the-board cuts and he also voiced support for legislation that will prevent the sequester through a balanced plan that closes tax loopholes and makes smart cuts.
Video of his speech is provided above and a transcript of his remarks is provided immediately below:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to tell the story of how Northern California communities that I represent will be harmed by sequestration.
Travis Air Force Base, in my district, makes sure the equipment and personnel that our military needs are delivered quickly and safely around the world. They’re the world's first responder when disaster strikes. Over a thousand civilians who work there could be furloughed. They will have a loss of over ten million dollars of income over the next six months.
Near Maysville California, Beale Air Force Base operates intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance missions that supply our nation's military with timely information to save American lives on the battlefield. Hundreds of civilians there could be furloughed, resulting in millions in lost wages. Families and their income are important, but so is national security which will be compromised by sequestration.
Yuba City, one of the major places in the United States with flood problems, will see their critical levee protection that the Army Corps of Engineers is working on delayed and not completed for next winter's floods.
The University of California, Davis will similarly be harmed.
It's time to end sequestration and move H.R. 699 and I ask unanimous consent that that bill be brought up for a vote.