Schiff Calls on Speaker to Avert Sequester Cuts

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, urged Speaker John Boehner to help avert across-the board cuts that would result in sequestration, expected to go into effect March 1.

The White House released a report on Sunday detailing direct cuts that would affect Californians, including services for children, seniors, small businesses and military men and women.

Schiff said in a statement:

“We must do everything we can to reach a long-term deal to avert the sequester, to grow jobs and the economy, and to address our debt problems. If sequestration goes into effect later this week, it’s going to be a disaster for the country, resulting in the loss of many thousands jobs in Los Angeles and around the nation.”

Schiff called on Boehner to approve a balanced plan that would avoid sequestration.

Schiff outlined potential consequences under sequestration, asserting that California could lose $87.6 million in funding for primary and secondary education, which could layoff up to 1,210 teacher aide jobs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs could also be at risk.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection would have to layoff more than 7,000 officers and agents. The Department of Justice would also be forced lay off approximately 1,000 federal agents and 1,300 Bureau of Prisons correctional officers.

Other cuts include $12.4 million in environmental funding for clean water and air quality and $2.6 million in funds to cover responses to natural disasters, infectious diseases and chemical, biological and nuclear events. Another $12.4 million can be cut to substance abuse programs.

Other programs on the chopping block include nutrition assistance for seniors, and medical research grants for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.