Proposed Budget Cuts Will Lead to Job Destruction

Cuts would rob agencies of vital resources and worsen economic crisis

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Federation of Government Employees National President John Gage today issued the following statement in response to the Office of Management and Budget's instructions to agencies regarding their 2013 budgets:

"OMB's instructions to agencies that they have to cut at least five percent below their 2011 enacted discretionary appropriations mean just one thing: more job destruction in the midst of a jobs crisis.

"Cuts of this magnitude will inevitably mean fewer staff to take care of injured veterans in our VA hospitals, fewer officers patrolling the borders, fewer inspectors to enforce our laws on clean air and water, and fewer scientists to conduct medical research and make sure that Americans are sold medications that are safe and effective. We'll have more backlogs for returning soldiers trying to obtain the benefits they've earned, and even shorter hours at Social Security offices.  All of America suffers when government lacks the resources to carry out the promise of effective and efficient public service.

"With 14 million Americans officially unemployed, and another 10 million who have either given up looking or are stuck with part-time work when they want and need full-time work, why on earth would the administration be trying to dig an even deeper hole? Spending either five or 10 percent less in 2013 than we spent in 2011 on public safety, veterans' services, law enforcement, anti-terrorism activity, and education support will not solve our problems - it will only make them worse."

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 625,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees

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