AIA Encourages Governors To Ask Tough Questions About Sequestration at NGA Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.

March 1 budget cuts put more than 2.14 million American jobs at risk in all 50 states

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the National Governors Association convenes this weekend at its winter meeting in Washington, D.C., the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) encourages governors to use the high-profile gathering to highlight the negative impact sequestration will have on their states. Drastic federal budget cuts, slated to take effect on March 1, will put more than 2.14 million American jobs at risk and jeopardize $215 billion in gross state product (GSP) unless Congress and the White House take immediate action.

“If allowed to take effect, sequestration is going to impact every facet of American life from our national defense, to police on the streets, teachers in the classroom and doctors at our community health centers”

“This meeting provides the perfect opportunity for the governors to send a message about the devastating impact sequestration will have on state economies, defense jobs, healthcare and education across the country,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “With little time to act, this weekend provides states the opportunity to make their voices heard at the White House and in Congress, where leaders have yet to begin serious negotiations about avoiding an economic nightmare that will have a negative impact nationwide.”

In July 2012, AIA issued a report conducted by Dr. Stephen Fuller at George Mason University that projected the loss of more than 2.14 million American jobs if $1.2 trillion in automatic budget cuts are not reversed. The report detailed job losses in defense and non-defense sectors including the impact on workers in the construction, manufacturing, education and healthcare industries.

“If allowed to take effect, sequestration is going to impact every facet of American life from our national defense, to police on the streets, teachers in the classroom and doctors at our community health centers,” Blakey said. “Sequestration will negatively impact state revenues and, ultimately, every state and locality will feel the burden of these cuts. I am urging our governors to make this issue a top priority during their meeting in Washington. This is an urgent problem that must be resolved and the more of us that band together, the stronger chance we have at reversing these mindless cuts.”

Editor’s Note: State specific impact fact sheets are available for download on AIA’s website. Please click here for further information.

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Founded in 1919 shortly after the birth of flight, the Aerospace Industries Association is the most authoritative and influential trade association representing the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, space systems, aircraft engines, missiles, homeland and cybersecurity systems, materiel and related components, equipment services and information technology.