WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Natural Resources Defense Council and nearly 3,000 other environmental, health, education and public safety groups delivered a letter to Congress urging lawmakers not to make arbitrary cuts to core non-defense discretionary programs under the budget sequestration agreement.
The following is a statement from NRDC Legislative Affairs Director Scott Slesinger:
"The budget cuts that would occur unless Congress acts this fall would be a disaster that would weaken health and safety protections and the ability to protect national parks and other lands.
“So far, only defense cuts have gotten attention, but the non-defense cuts would be just as destructive, and we are pleased to be part of a broad coalition that is fighting back."
Non-defense discretionary spending represents less than one-fifth of the federal budget and 4.3 percent of our country’s Gross Domestic Product, according to NRDC and other groups.
Under the bipartisan Budget Control Act, non-defense discretionary funding will decline to just 2.8 percent of GDP by 2021, the lowest level in at least 50 years.
If sequestration is allowed to take effect, cuts to non-defense discretionary programs will be even deeper.
SOURCE: Natural Resources Defense Council
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