Washington D.C. – Yesterday, Senators Lindsey Graham and Jon Kyl both gave speeches that included a call for Congress to include new sources of revenue in a deal to avoid sequestration, and the devastating impact it would have on national security and the defense budget.  In response, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith made the following statement:

“I applaud Senators Graham and Kyl for urging their party to consider new sources of revenue as a way to help avoid sequestration and the devastating impact it will have on the defense budget and our national security. Until now, nearly every member of the Republican Party has wholeheartedly refused to consider new revenues as part of a balanced approach to get our federal deficit under control. That rigid and ideological position is the single greatest barrier to avoiding deep and indiscriminate cuts to the defense budget.

“If the Republican Party really cares about providing our military with the tools and resources it needs to ensure national security – something the Democratic Party certainly cares a great deal about – then I encourage them to follow Senators Lindsey Grahams and Jon Kyl, put revenue on the table and consider a realistic solution to prevent sequestration and get our budgetary problems under control.”

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