DOD Civilian Furloughs

Floor Speech

Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday over 14,000 civilian Department of Defense employees at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in my community were furloughed as a result of sequestration. For 11 days, over the next few months, these hardworking members of my community will see their pay cut by 20 percent.

I voted against this mess. I knew the effects of sequestration on our national security and our community and its citizens would be significant and for many devastating. These vital members of our national security structure have essentially been told they are expendable. Morale at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and DOD facilities around the United States is suffering because of this.

I've spoken to not just these civilian employees, but to car dealers, restaurant owners, small businesses, all of who feel the pain and frustration because of inaction here in Washington. It doesn't have to be this way. The House has passed an act to avert sequestration. The Senate has failed to pass a single bill to avert sequestration. The President, who promised the American people that this would not happen, has done nothing. Meanwhile, families and businesses, not only in Ohio but across the country, are suffering. It's time for the President to keep his promise that he made during his election campaign and to work to set aside sequestration.

Mr. Speaker, I voted against sequestration. The House has passed legislation to halt it, and it's time that the Senate and the President come to the table and work to find a way to avert these furloughs and their devastating impact on the lives and businesses of hardworking Americans and its impact upon our national security.

Source