Washington D.C.House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith made the following statement at this morning’s hearings, entitled “Department of Defense Plans for Sequestration: The Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012 Report and the Way Forward”:

“I would like to thank our witnesses for attending this hearing today.

“I think everyone in this room can agree that sequestration must be prevented. It is clear that large, indiscriminate, across the board cuts to the federal budget would have serious implications for our national security and a wide range of other important federal programs.

“I agree with Secretary Panetta’s description of sequestration as a “disaster in terms of the Defense Department.”  To date, no witness who has appeared before our committee in the numerous hearings we have devoted to the problem has disagreed with this characterization.  I also share the view that informing the American people of sequestration’s harmful effects may be useful in pushing Congress to fix the problem it created, but it is time to take action to stave off the impending, self-imposed disaster that would occur should sequestration be implemented.

“We have, without a doubt, established that sequestration would be bad. It’s time to address our differences and work toward a solution. There is too much at stake.

“Deficit-reduction goals cannot be achieved through spending cuts alone, especially if those cuts are exclusive to non-defense programs.  Everything needs to be carefully considered in devising a balanced approach.  Revenues need to be increased, mandatory programs need to be brought in line with what we can afford over the long term, and domestic spending should be carefully examined to find real and substantial savings over time.  Unfortunately, instead of working seriously to find such a balanced solution, the majority in Congress has refused to consider even the slightest revenue increases and focused instead on measures to kick the threat of sequester slightly down the road.  That is just not good enough.

“We have differences, but they are not insurmountable. The solution to this problem is simple. Let’s include realistic revenue options in a comprehensive plan for finding the $1.2 trillion in savings mandated by the Budget Control Act.  I stand ready to work with each of my colleagues in reaching a timely and sensible compromise.”

 

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Date Title
12/5/12 Rep. Adam Smith to Continue as House Armed Services Ranking Member
Date Title
11/19/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith Reacts to the Conflict in Israel, Gaza
11/16/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Release of Ali Musa Daqduq
11/14/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith Responds to Attacks on Susan Rice
11/10/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement in Observance of Veterans Day
Date Title
9/29/12 Smith Responds to Attacks on Ambassador Susan Rice
9/20/12 Smith Statement on the Anniversary of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal
9/20/12 Current record
9/19/12 Ranking Member Smith to Discuss U.S.-Russia Relations
9/14/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Sequestration Report
9/12/12 Ranking Member Smith Statement on Attack in Libya
9/12/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Operational Contracting Support Hearing
9/11/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Anniversary of September 11th
9/11/12 Ranking Member Smith to Discuss Detention Policy, Civil Liberties, National Security
9/5/12 Ranking Member Smith Statement on “Insider Attacks” in Afghanistan
Date Title
8/2/12 Ranking Member Smith, Chairman McKeon Statement Following Briefing on Sexual Assault Incidents at Lackland Air Force Base
8/1/12 Ranking Member Smith Expresses Displeasure with Tone of Sequestration Hearing
8/1/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at Hearing with OMB Director Zients, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter
Date Title
7/30/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on WARN Act Announcement
7/26/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith Applauds Senators Graham, Kyl for Stance on Sequestration
7/25/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at Joint Hearing with Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
7/18/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Hearing on Sequestration: Industry Perspectives
7/10/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith to Give Speech on National Security Challenges in Africa
Date Title
6/28/12 Smith Spearheads Effort for Equal Treatment of Military Spouses
6/25/12 Smith: Time for Republicans and Democrats to Work Together to Stop Sequestration