Defense Secretary Leon Panetta wants your help in stopping Congress from allowing $600 billion in automatic defense spending cuts to kick in next year.
“I know that many of you and many members of this community obviously are concerned about the future and obviously are concerned about yourselves and your families for the future,” Panetta said while visiting Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. “But I want you to know that I am committed to do everything I can to fight for your interests. And I want you to join me in fighting for what’s right.”
Panetta vowed to work with Congress to avoid the cuts which would take effect next year if lawmakers are unable to agree on how to trim $1.2 trillion in spending.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we bless ourselves with the hope that everything’s gonna be OK in this country,” Panetta added. “But, frankly, it doesn’t mean a damn thing unless we’re willing to fight for it. The fact that you’re here tells me that you are willing to fight; to fight for that dream that — that brought my parents to this country, to fight for a strong America in the future, and to fight, most importantly, for a government of, by and for all people.”
