Do-Nothing Landrieu Votes “No” on Alternatives After Saying Sequester “Would Drastically Affect Our Military & Defense Programs”
WASHINGTON, D.C – For months, Republicans in the House and Senate have been urging their Democratic counterparts to replace President Obama’s sequester with smarter, safer and more sensible spending cuts to lower the deficit. Instead, less than 24 hours before the President’s sequester hits, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) voted against both Republican and Democratic alternatives to replace the sequester.
You read that correctly: Senator Landrieu’s solution to a sequester that she voted for and later claimed would have a “devastating impact” on border security and our military is to stand by and let it hit Louisiana.
NRSC Communications Director Brad Dayspring issued the following statement:
“Mary Landrieu was right to recognize that President Obama’s sequester, which she voted for, could have ‘devastating’ consequences on border security and defense, but dead wrong to do nothing about it to protect her home state. Louisiana families deserve better than Senator Landrieu, who for the past year seemed far more interested in reelecting Barack Obama than finding a smarter, safer and more sensible solution than the sequester she supported.”
BACKGROUND:
Landrieu Discussed “The Devastating Impact That The Sequester Would Have On Our Border Security.” “U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today discussed the disproportionate share of our nation’s debt and deficit reduction that has come from spending cuts as opposed to revenues, as well as the devastating impact that the sequester would have on our border security.” (Senator Mary Landrieu, “Landrieu Cautions Against Effects Of Sequester On Border Security,” Press Release, 2/14/13)
Landrieu Said Sequester’s Spending Cuts Would “Drastically Affect Our Military And Defense Programs.” “Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Democrat, said Congress must take action to avoid the sequestration spending cuts. ‘While I support smart spending cuts together with increased revenues as part of a balanced approach to debt and deficit reduction, these potential budget cuts would drastically affect our military and defense programs,’ said Landrieu. ‘Louisiana has a strong tradition of military service and knows the meaning of sacrificing to protect our nation. It is our duty to support these brave men and women.’” (Deborah Barfield Berry, “Civilians At La. Military Bases Face Temporary Pay Cuts,” News Star, 2/24/13)
Mary Landrieu Voted For The Bill That Created The Sequester
Senator Mary Landrieu Voted For The Budget Control Act, Which Included The Sequester. (S. 365, CQ Vote #123: Motion agreed to, thus clearing the bill for the president 74-26: R 28-19; D 45-6; I 1-1, 8/2/11, Landrieu Voted Yea)
· Landrieu Said The Budget Control Act Took “Several Positive Steps Forward” And Ensured “That We Will Not Have To Relive This Hostage Situation In Six Months Or A Year.” LANDRIEU: “Even though the bill has some flaws, we have taken several positive steps forward. Most importantly, this compromise ensures that we will not have to relive this hostage situation in six months or a year, which will give our financial markets some much-needed certainty. It also sets us on a path toward reducing our national debt by more than $2 trillion over the next 10 years. And it accomplishes this without cutting benefits to Social Security and Medicare and without tying the hands of thefederal government when a terrible disaster strikes.” (Sen. Mary Landrieu, “Landrieu Votes In Favor Of Bipartisan Debt Ceiling Compromise,” Press Release, 8/2/11)
According To White House Analysis, The Sequester Would Be Damaging To Louisiana
Sequestration Will Cause Louisiana To Lose Approximately $15.8 Million In Funding For Primary And Secondary Education, Putting Around 220 Teacher And Aide Jobs At Risk. “Teachers and Schools: Louisiana will lose approximately $15.8 in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 220 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 26,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 50 fewer schools would receive funding.” (“Impact Of March 1st Cuts On Middle Class Families, Jobs, And Economic Security: Louisiana,” The White House, Accessed 2/25/13)
In Louisiana, Around 7,000 Civilian Department Of Defense Employees Would Be Furloughed, Reducing Gross Pay By About $35.9 Million. “Military Readiness: In Louisiana, approximately 7,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $35.9 million in total.” (“Impact Of March 1st Cuts On Middle Class Families, Jobs, And Economic Security: Louisiana,” The White House, Accessed 2/25/13)
Louisiana Would Lose $58 Million In Army Base Operation Funding And Air Force Operations Would Be Cut By About $8 Million. “Army: Base operation funding would be cut by about $58 million in Louisiana. Air Force: Funding for Air Force operations in Louisiana would be cut by about $8 million. Navy: A planned demolition project at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and a scheduled Blue Angels show at Barksdale Air Force Base could be canceled.” (“Impact Of March 1st Cuts On Middle Class Families, Jobs, And Economic Security: Louisiana,” The White House, Accessed 2/25/13)
Louisiana Would Lose $264,000 In Grants That Support, Among Other Things, Law Enforcement, Prosecution And Courts, And Crime Prevention And Education. “Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution: Louisiana will lose about $264,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that support law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.” (“Impact Of March 1st Cuts On Middle Class Families, Jobs, And Economic Security: Louisiana,” The White House, Accessed 2/25/13)
If Sequestration Takes Effect, Louisiana Would Lose Job Search Assistance Funding, Which Would Result In “Around 17,150 Fewer People” Receiving “The Help And Skills They Need To Find Employment.” “Job Search Assistance to Help those in Louisiana find Employment and Training: Louisiana will lose about $509,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement, meaning around 17,150 fewer people will get the help and skills they need to find employment.” (“Impact Of March 1st Cuts On Middle Class Families, Jobs, And Economic Security: Louisiana,” The White House, Accessed 2/25/13)
