Sequestration takes effect, local leaders react

An ariel view of Redstone Arsenal. The military post is expected to take a significant hit after sequestration went into effect on Friday, March 1. (CONTRIBUTED)

By Aldo Amato

For The Record

MADISON – Sequestration took effect as of midnight on March 1 with local leaders and the military community pushing for a resolution.

The deadline for a resolution to stop sequestration passed on March 1 signaling numerous budget cuts to a number of federal programs. Thousands of federal, military and national defense jobs are expected to be cut.

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL), who represents Madison County, said that the effects of sequestration would damage our national security and the local economy.

“It is critical to the future of America’s national security that we halt sequestration immediately,” Brooks said in a press release.  “These disproportionate defense cuts have been damaging both national security and our economy since August 2011. That damage will increase dramatically over the coming days, weeks and months.”

Redstone Arsenal employs thousands of jobs throughout the Tennessee Valley. Most of them are military based.

Retired MSGT. Susie McEuen said that while she agrees something has to be done to heal the national debt, cutting jobs in military sector is not the solution.

“Something has to be done and I suppose everyone has to take a cut,” McEuen said. “However hitting the Department of Defense is with such a huge cut is like pouring salt into an open wound.”

McEuen added that military families are the last people who should see these cuts.

“Part of the money supports military and civil servants along with their families as they serve our country,” she said. “These people do not live extravagant lives and I am not sure we are doing the right thing to the right people.”