NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WTKR) — President Obama will take his case to avert the looming budget sequester to Newport News Shipbuilding on Tuesday.
If the White House and House Republicans do not reach an agreement by March 1 automatic spending cuts will kick in that would likely impact many jobs at the shipyard.
The shipyard, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, has a supplier base in all 50 states, many of which are small businesses that rely solely on Newport News Shipbuilding for their business.
Congressman J. Randy Forbes released a statement after the president’s announcement:
“I knew over 17 months ago how devastating sequestration would be to our nation and our region. When it came for a vote, I voted no. The President, on the other hand, signed sequestration into law. He even said last year that it would not happen. Now that our nation is days away from these devastating cuts, I’m pleased he is visiting our region. I hope it is the first step towards working with the President to overturn the bill that he signed into law.”
