Sequestration Undermines Peace Through Strength

Floor Speech

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the Constitution gives Congress the responsibility of providing for a common defense. The defense cuts that occur in 2013 as a result of sequestration undermines this constitutional duty. General Ray Odierno, the Army Chief of Staff, has stated, ``Cuts of this magnitude would be catastrophic for the military.''

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said that under sequestration, ``We would have to reduce the size of the military sharply. Rough estimates indicate after 10 years of these cuts, we would have the smallest ground forces since 1940, the smallest number of ships since 1915, and the smallest Air Force in our history.''

With growing worldwide threats, the President last night praised our troops but actually is slashing the Army by 80,000 troops and cuts to Marines by 20,000.

I urge my colleagues to support Chairman BUD MCKEON and vote in favor of the Down Payment on National Security Act. This bill provides certainty for the military to promote peace through strength.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

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