*Sequestration

Today, instead of averting the sequester, the Republican-led House passed the inclusive, bipartisan Senate-passed Violence Against Women Act – so, at least something good happened. We’re glad that some House Republicans actually decided to put partisan politics on the backburner in order to get something done. Now, if only they could decide to put politics aside to avert the sequester by compromising with Democrats on a balanced solution. Wouldn’t that be nice!

“Mr. Speaker, the inability to get to agreement on this sequester is hurting the economy. And I will tell my friend that we've offered three times to have a bill considered as an alternative to sequester which cuts spending, raises some additional revenues.

We may not be surprised, but we sure are disappointed to hear that House Republicans are playing political games with our country’s economy. Ezra Klein writes in the Washington Post about how Republicans are taking a “wait and see” approach, despite warnings from economists, military leaders, and policy experts:

Republicans continue to refuse to take action to avert the sequester, which would take effect tomorrow. Today’s editorial cartoon in USA Today offers an unfortunate glimpse into the future we face without a balanced solution to avoid these irrational cuts. Note to Republicans: it’s not too late to change this future.

An arbitrary and irrational series of automatic budget cuts, also known as sequestration, are set to take effect Friday unless Congress acts immediately. While House and Senate Democrats have proposed serious alternatives to the cuts that employ a balanced approach, many Republicans continue to push the severe spending-cuts-only formula as the only viable solution to our deficit problem.

With less than 48 hours until devastating across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester take effect, many Republicans are still expressing their unwavering support for these cuts instead of working with Democrats to avert them. However, a closer look reveals that support for the sequester contradicts promises made to their constituents in their legislative priorities, and could have an impact on their districts.

“Mr. Speaker, we are now two days away from failure-triggered, ideological-driven and irrational budget cuts called ‘sequester.’ It's an extraordinarily bad policy that 229 Republicans voted for on July 19, 2011 [in their Cut, Cap, and Balance bill]. These cuts could be incredibly harmful to our national defense, our economy, and our national welfare.

“Today, Mr. Speaker, we continue an unfortunate and unnecessary countdown to the irrational and reckless automatic cuts the Republican policies will impose. The countdown stands at three days.