Speaking out against the sequester set to take effect next month, President Barack Obama warned that the automatic spending cuts would put criminals back on America’s streets.
“Emergency responders, like the ones who are here today, their ability to help communities respond to and recover from disasters will be degraded. Border Patrol agents will see their hours reduced. FBI agents will be furloughed,” Obama said at the White House on Tuesday.
“Federal prosecutors will have to close cases and let criminals go. Air traffic controllers and airport security will see cutbacks, which means more delays at airports across the country. Thousands of teachers and educators will be laid off. Tens of thousands of parents will have to scramble to find child care for their kids. Hundreds of thousands of Americans will lose access to primary care and preventive care like flu vaccinations and cancer screenings.”
The president also said “the unemployment rate might tick up again” if the across-the-board budget cuts are implemented.
Obama did not take any questions after his speech.
Under The Budget Control Act of 2011, the sequester becomes law since the so-called “Super Committee” did not produce a deal. The fiscal cliff agreement delayed the automatic cuts until March 1. Without further congressional action, the cuts begin next month.