Washington, D.C. – This morning Congressman Mo Brooks (Al-05) submitted a letter to House leadership, and addressed the U.S. House of Representatives, formally requesting that the House remain in session until sequestration is solved.

Excerpts from Congressman Brooks’ remarks:

“Thank you Madame Speaker:

“Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta states sequestration ‘would be a disaster in terms of the Defense Department. As far as our budget is concerned, as far as our ability to respond to the threats that are out there, it has a big impact.’ 

“Over time, sequestration’s disproportionate cuts to national defense will reduce our military to its smallest number of uniformed personnel since before World War II, its smallest number of operational naval vessels since World War I, and its smallest number of operational aircraft in the history of the United States Air Force. 

“In my home district in North Alabama, President Obama has ordered that roughly 14,000 highly skilled and irreplaceable Department of Defense civilian employees suffer 20 percent furloughs and 20 percent salary cuts. 

“Redstone Arsenal’s engineers, scientists, and other civilian defense staff are critical to national security in a time of international instability. Their knowledge and skill sets are unique, virtually irreplaceable, and may be lost to national security forever if these workers are forced to find work elsewhere. 

“For emphasis, and despite White House, Senate Leadership, and House Leadership efforts to the contrary, I voted against sequestration and the Budget Control Act of 2011 because the risks to America were simply unacceptable.

“In 2012, and despite President Obama’s veto threats, the House twice passed legislation to fix sequestration.

“In response, the Senate not only refused to vote on the House’s sequestration solutions, the Senate irresponsibly refused to propose solutions of its own.

“Hence, despite the Senate enjoying more than a year and a half to do its job, Senate inaction and delay have given America yet another short-term crisis.

“So here we are.

“America faces three major crises:  sequestration, a Continuing Resolution to fund the government, and yet another debt ceiling crisis. 

“While I agree with the House Leadership’s view that, since the Senate has done nothing to solve this problem, it is appropriate for the Senate to act first on sequestration this time, I am troubled the House is scheduled to work only 24 days in March and April combined. Conversely, there are 19 workdays  in which the House is not in session. 

“Americans are suffering. National defense is suffering. The suffering of Americans is not in recess during this crisis. Congress should not be in recess, either. 

“We signed up to do a job. And that job is not done. 

“The House must provide leadership and prove we are serious about doing the people’s business. And Washington is where the people’s business is done. 

“Given the magnitude of the risks and damage done by sequestration to America on a daily basis, I respectfully request that the House remain in session and do our jobs on each and every workday until sequestration is resolved. 

“The House has passed numerous sequester solutions. It is long-past time for the Senate to wake from its slumber, respond to the clarion call of the American people, and pass a sequestration solution.”

Video of the speech is available HERE or at Congressman Brooks’ YouTube Channel, youtube.com/RepMoBrooks.

Congressman Brooks is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Science Subcommittee, of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

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