Stop Sequestration Press Conference Press Kit

Thousands of Organizations Unite to Protect America’s Economy and Innovation Leadership

Non-Defense and Defense Groups to Demand Solutions to Sequestration

Washington, D.C. – Leading representatives from industries and sectors on both the defense and non-defense side of the sequestration debate will detail a joint effort they are undertaking to put a stop to the severe budget cuts currently set to go into effect on March 1. This event marks the first time the defense and nondefense communities have joined together to speak with one voice about the ways in which Americans will be harmed by continued cuts to core government functions, including the military, education, public health, science, public safety, and infrastructure.

The Aerospace Industries Association, NDD United and the Task Force for American Innovation, together representing thousands of member companies, institutions and organizations, will urge President Obama and Congress to work together to find a balanced, bipartisan permanent solution to the meat axe of sequestration budget cuts.

WHO:

WHAT:

Press conference detailing joint effort by groups representing millions of Americans calling for an end to devastating sequestration budget cuts

WHEN:

9:00am Eastern Time (8:30am sign-in and continental breakfast)
Monday, February 11, 2013

WHERE:

National Press Club, Holeman Lounge
529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor
Washington, DC 20045

PRESS CONTACTS:

AAU: Barry Toiv
(202) 898-7847
barry_toiv@aau.edu		 AIA: Dan Stohr
(703) 358-1075 office
(703) 517-8173 mobile
dan.stohr@aia-aerospace.org
APLU: Jeff Lieberson
(202) 478-6040
jlieberson@aplu.org		 NDD United: Emily Holubowich
(202) 484-1100 ext. 43
eholubowich@dc-crd.com

PRESS KIT

 

 

1.16.13 Quote of the Week

“And the fact is…we have no idea what the hell’s going to happen.  All told, this uncertainty, if left unresolved by the Congress, will seriously harm our military readiness.”   Leon Panetta, Secretary of Defense

During  a rare press conference the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta was joined by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey to discuss the devastating budget cuts bearing down on his department. He explained that sequestration, coupled with an expiring continuing resolution and the need to maintain readiness, have combined to be a perfect storm that could threaten to push the department to a “tipping point.”

During the press conference it was made clear by Panetta that sequestration will render our defense strategy unexecutable and leave us with a hollow force incapable of resetting capabilities or responding to emerging national security dangers.

The full transcript from the press conference may be viewed at www.defense.gov.

 

Help us continue the fight against sequestration by getting active online. Tweet using the hashtag #StopSequestration to let everyone know that you think this bad policy must go.

1.8.13 Quote of the Week

“It’s time for Congress to avert sequestration once and for all … This is about the defense of the United States and the people who serve in the United States military and our civilian personnel, also, who carry out missions and support of the defense of this nation.” George Little, Pentagon Press Secretary

At the Pentagon’s daily press briefing on January 8, 2013, the Pentagon’s press secretary, George Little, refereed to the Department of Defense’s budget as being “a mess” and “highly problematic” due to the reset implementation deadline of sequestration. Given the current uncertainty of affairs surrounding sequestration and the lack of guidance given to the Pentagon from Congress or the White House, top officials at the Pentagon are unsure if they will be able to deliver their budget to Congress on time.

This is troubling news for DOD contractors as well. In a recent statement by AIA’s President and CEO, Marion Blakey, she voiced concerns over what sequestration means for the aerospace and defense industry as well as our national economy and numerous government agencies. Urging our leaders to take action to solve the sequester crisis she said “it would be an abdication of responsibility by the leaders of this country, one that will only heighten Americans’ cynicism and cement the public image of a gridlocked Washington that simply doesn’t work.”

 

Help us continue the fight against sequestration by getting active online. Tweet using the hashtag #StopSequestration to let everyone know that you think this bad policy must go.

Our national security is at risk from sequestration

A strong effort has been put forward to demonstrate our industry’s message by illustrating how political gamesmanship in Washington has reached new levels.  It is well past time our leaders come together to address the increasingly troublesome issue of sequestration by doing the job for which they were elected.

The images below can be enlarged by clicking on them which will open them in a new window.


    

For more information on how sequestration impacts our national security please refer to the following links:

U.S. Department of Defense - Press Briefing by Secretary Panetta and General Dempsey in the Pentagon Briefing Room

Aerospace Industries Association – Sequestration resource center on Second to None

For news stories illustrating the national security implications of sequestration please see the following stories:

Defense News - Panetta Warns of Severe Reductions in Operations if March Sequester Occurs

Politico - Panetta warns of hiring freeze, deep cuts at Pentagon

Washington Post - Defense plans precautionary cutbacks

 

 

Help us continue the fight against sequestration by getting active online. Tweet using the hashtag #StopSequestration to let everyone know that you think this bad policy must go.

New deadline for sequestration

Late in 2012, Congress was up against a hard deadline to avert the aptly named “fiscal cliff” which encompassed numerous parts – among them, sequestration and a January 2, 2013 inaction date.  Due to fundamental differences in opinion over how to avert the crisis, Republicans and Democrats were unable to come to a compromise earlier in the 2012.  As the debt ceiling and tax levels were set to expire at year’s end national urgency drove our leaders in Washington to address the fiscal cliff, but unfortunately only taxes and the debt ceiling received the necessary attention.

The issue of sequestration was given a band-aid for 57 day as Congress ran out of time to address the issue during cliff deliberations.  As a short-term fix they did include a stop-gap funding measure in the continuing resolution which allowed 2012 funding levels to be maintained through March 1, 2013.  This resolution provided temporary relief for agency budgets, however it did not solve the problem. In some instances it actually furthered an already festering question for defense contractors, which is “what programs will be affected by these cuts if they occur?” Due to this uncertainty contractors are again left waiting for crucial answers which factor into how they make strategic and long-term business decisions.

The Aerospace Industries Association is pushing hard for a long-term bipartisan solution to this serious problem.  For more information please read a statement by the Associations CEO, Marion C. Blakey by clicking here.

 

 

Help us continue the fight against sequestration by getting active online. Tweet using the hashtag #StopSequestration to let everyone know that you think this bad policy must go.

New study warns of sequestration impacts to NASA, NOAA programs

A new economic impact analysis concludes that over 20,000 NASA contractor jobs and over 2,500 NOAA jobs related to weather satellites could be lost in 2013 if the Budget Control Act’s sequestration mandate takes effect on January 2, 2013.

“This report demonstrates that the biggest single threat to our space programs’ continued success are arbitrary and capricious budget cuts,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “NASA and NOAA are responsible for cutting edge activities that expand the boundaries of knowledge and discovery, lead to economic innovation and save lives.  We can’t afford not to invest in these sources of American scientific and technological greatness.”

Dr. Stephen S. Fuller, Dwight Schar Faculty Chair and University Professor and Director for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, conducted the study on behalf of the Aerospace Industries Association.

Dr. Fuller’s analysis found that in addition to threatening the jobs of many of the scientists, engineers and technicians that design, manufacture and operate our nation’s spacecraft, sequestration would also deal major damage to those regions of the country with high concentrations of aerospace activity, better known as industry clusters. “The importance of maintaining these clusters cannot be overstated,” notes Frank Slazer, AIA’s Vice President of Space Systems. “Clusters have been shown to promote economic efficiencies and specialization, encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, and drive prosperity for entire regions.”

Impacted “clusters” in the study include those in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

Defense industry CEOs talk sequestration

On Monday, December 3, 2012 the National Press Club held a press briefing on sequestration and they invited top defense industry CEO’s and members of AIA to give remarks and answer questions from press. A video of the press briefing is below.

Industry CEOs urge Congress, President to solve fiscal cliff

More than 130 CEOs sign letter to President Obama

Four industry leaders participated in a panel discussion today at the National Press Club on the impacts of sequestration budget cuts on America’s economy and national security. The panel also drew attention to a letter from aerospace and defense industry CEOs voicing support for current talks and urging President Obama to continue negotiations with Congress on immediate, bipartisan action to avert the upcoming “fiscal cliff,” which the Congressional Budget Office says could drive America back into recession next year.

“Today, more than 130 CEOs have signed a letter to President Obama and Congressional leaders, urging them to work together on a deal to avert sequestration and adopt an approach that addresses the country’s long-term fiscal challenges,” said AIA Chairman and President, Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies Corporation David P. Hess. “Sequestration has created uncertainty in the marketplace over the past year and has had a real impact on jobs, investment and innovation.  Uncertainty is forcing companies to defer investments and hiring today, when we need it most. And, if sequestration goes into effect, the long-term impacts could prove devastating to our national defense, economic well-being and global competitiveness.”

The panel consisted of Hess, AIA Vice Chairman and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Northrop Grumman Corporation Wes Bush; Vice Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of RTI International Metals, Inc. Dawne S. Hickton; and President and Chief Executive Officer of TASC David H. Langstaff.

“Sequestration would, of course, hit the aerospace and defense industry very hard as it will be difficult to address the irrational approach to these cuts in the short term,” said Northrop Grumman’s Bush. “But it will also have very negative impacts in the long term as it will also damage our industry’s ability to attract and retain the kind of highly-trained technical talent our nation needs to help keep its technological superiority in security and defense second to none.”

“By now there is no debate that sequestration poses unacceptable risks to our economic recovery and the long term security of our nation,” said RTI’s Hickton. “However, the direct impacts to small and mid-sized businesses, and the impact on the defense industrial base supply chain, are often overlooked in the discussion. The impact to the supply chain is just as challenging, and indeed could be even more devastating as smaller companies lack the same resources to manage through another economic downturn.”

The letter which was also sent to House and Senate leadership, stated:

“The dangers of sequestration are by now well understood, with more than 2 million jobs hanging in the balance and the Joint Chiefs warning of severe damage to America’s security.  Accordingly, we are encouraged by the bipartisan commitment to stop sequestration and pursue a more responsible approach to our longer term fiscal challenges.”

“For generations, America has prospered on a strong foundation of manufacturing excellence and technological innovation.  But sequestration cuts would needlessly erode this economic bedrock, choking off critical investments in research and basic science, and forfeiting our leadership in the markets of tomorrow.   It’s a recipe for economic stagnation, and the worst possible way to tackle America’s long-term debt.”

“With the elections behind us, the time for a solution to sequestration has arrived,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “We have only 28 days to act. No more pressing issue remains on the national agenda this year.”

POLITICO Opinion: Maritime security at stake with sequestration

Today, as we commemorate Veterans Day and reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of the millions of Americans who have served past and present, we as a nation have an obligation to preserve what they have fought so hard to protect. The maritime service veterans’ narrative is unique and extraordinary. From their historic role in the founding of our nation, to ensuring homeland security, our sea service veterans will continue to deploy after the land forces have come home — to provide maritime security and help our nation ensure economic prosperity.

In August 2011, our legislative and executive branches came up with the Budget Control Act as a means to force compromise and reduce our national deficit. Last week, Americans went to the polls and reelected the incumbent president and a slightly new Congress.

Clearly, our current and newly elected government need to exercise greater fiscal responsibility, and reducing our deficit must be a priority. Few Americans would disagree with that. To do that, some argue that we spend less on defense. However, the security of our nation must not be the sacrificial lamb of partisan games. This is one area, where we as a nation must stand united. Due to the nature of technological advances, it has been suggested, that a 1915-sized Navy is adequate in today’s environment. This, while possibly well-intended, is a misinformed notion.

First, we live in a radically different world than we did in 1915. Our world is by no means a safer place — as most recently demonstrated in Libya — where a senior career diplomat was assassinated. We have also seen the unpredictability of nations such as Iran and North Korea, both with emerging nuclear weapons capability, the ongoing Arab Spring, increasing terrorist training camps throughout Africa, and China’s instability with neighboring countries and their territorial disputes. All of these actions, including piracy across the seven seas, present a serious threat to our maritime security, our economic prosperity and our very way of life. While ground forces are drawing down in Afghanistan, it is our continually forward deployed Navy and Marine forces that provide disaster response and deter aggression around the globe.

Next, many do not realize this, but more than 90 percent of all global commerce travels by sea. Practically every product we export, use or consume, departed America, or came to the U.S. by ship. Most of the ships very likely traveled through one of the world’s maritime choke points such as the Straits of Malacca or Hormuz, the Panama Canal or the Suez Canal to get to their final destination. Any disruption, even temporary, to the flow of commerce in these areas would have significant impact on our global economy. With many of these choke points located near politically unstable countries, matched with the ongoing reality of piracy, the threat in these areas is real. As a large, maritime nation, the United States has an obligation — to its citizens and its allies — to protect freedom of the seas.

And finally, yes the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of 2012 is vastly different than the steam-powered battleship of 1915. Today’s ships can travel farther, deliver more firepower and are technologically superior. However, it is basic math — numbers matter. For every ship that is deployed, our maritime services require at least two more ships — one at their home port undergoing maintenance and refurbishment, with another ship probably under way training for their next deployment. The current operational tempo has weighed heavily on our sailors and Marines that deploy with fewer numbers of ships. Ten years ago, the average deployment was about six months, with about 18 months at home. Today, our sailors and Marines are deploying seven to nine months and are only spending a few months back at home before their next overseas deployment.

The bottom line is: Size matters. Reducing the number of ships severely limits our ability to adequately maintain and train an already small fleet, and our capability to respond to crisis, conflicts and disasters is diminished. It severely limits our ability to be forward deployed and engaged around the globe and will force us to assume unacceptable risks in future combat operations. As President Theodore Roosevelt said, “a good Navy is not a provocation to war; it is the surest guaranty of peace.” It is imperative that our members of Congress remember this and remember their constitutional obligation to defend the national security of the United States.

Executive branch leaders have promised that sequestration won’t happen. However, these are statements they cannot make. Sequestration is the law. The only way to stop it is for Congress to take positive action before Jan. 2, 2013. In addition to the sequestration issue, our Congress has used continuing resolutions in lieu of passing a budget every fiscal year for the past 16 years. While this suits the political needs of Congress, it has left our military in the very untenable situation of not being able to adequately plan for, or execute national security objectives. It severely limits their ability to conduct training, acquire and maintain equipment and respond to contingencies.

Officially, the only purpose of sequestration was to force compromise among our elected officials. In reality, it was a contrived notion intended to play out in the court of public opinion. Lame-duck politics often have negative connotations. Our elected officials now have an opportunity to put aside partisan concerns and do the right thing — stop sequestration now. No more campaign ads and no more political pandering. The effects of sequestration would have devastating effects on our national security, the effectiveness and sustainability of our defense industrial base and our economic prosperity unless they act now.

Dale A. Lumme is national executive director, Navy League of the United States.

Full Article.

Washington Business Report Nov. 11, 2012


(Part 1)

This week on Washington Business Report: Marion Blakey, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, Peter Morici of the University of Maryland, and Bruce DePuyt of NewsChannel8.


(Part Two)