Today, Representative Ed Royce (R-Fullerton), released the following statement on the series of spending cuts, known as the sequester, set to take place on March 1st.

“With a $16 trillion national debt, there is little question that we must cut our out-of-control spending. But the sequester – proposed and promoted by President Obama – is not the best way to address this problem. This is why the House of Representatives has twice passed bills offering smarter, targeted cuts, and I supported both bills. Now the White House and Senate Democrats are decrying the negative effects of the sequester, but the Senate has yet to pass or even hold a vote on an alternative plan to cut spending. They have, however, proposed even more tax hikes despite the fact Congress already addressed the expiring tax cuts.
 
“I am open to a tax reform plan that spurs economic growth and efficiency, but that isn’t what the President and Senate Democrats are proposing. Instead, they are looking to make it even harder for our nation’s businesses and job creators to grow and hire. If the President and Democrats in the Senate are truly looking to avoid the sequester, then it’s time they provide the American people with a credible plan to cut our national debt and join us in coming up with a viable alternative.”