Defense cuts a concern for Mississippi lawmakers
WASHINGTON — The failure of the supercommittee to find $1.2 trillion in budget cuts over 10 years disappointed Magnolia State lawmakers and now raises concerns over the impact of $500 billion in automatic defense-budget cuts, especially shipbuilding on the Mississippi Coast.
“I had hoped the committee would succeed and produce a bold plan that would build confidence here and abroad in the U.S. economy and the ability of Congress to address the nation’s fiscal problems,” said U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss.
“Without a deficit-reduction agreement from the committee, we now face additional and significant automatic cuts to domestic and defense programs. It would be irresponsible to speculate where those cuts, which would start in 2013, will fall. I do know that it is imperative that Congress and the Department of Defense work to ensure that any reductions to defense programs are responsible and do not compromise our national security.”
Sun Herald
11/21/11
Magnolia Tribune
