Can the Super Committee Get the Job Done?

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The super committee fails to agree on a deal -- Molly mentioned automatic cuts are going to be triggered and it could mean major cutbacks and the Pentagon budget.

Joining us now to talk about that possibility Florida Republican congressman Alan west who served for more than.

Twenty years in the US army congressman thank you so much for joining us.

Thanks for having me salmon and happy Thanksgiving to.

And -- you and your family and loved ones as well let's talk about that the Pentagon has -- facing some 450 billion dollars in cuts.

If we get to the sequestration issue at the super committee doesn't find a deal they're talking about at least that much again.

How concerned are you.

I'm very concerned as a matter of fact you're talking about another five to 600.

Billion dollars over the next ten years of cuts.

As a matter of fact of personnel you're talking about an army that will go from 549000.

About four and 25 a Marine Corps that will go from 202002.

About a hundred afford if the lowest level of the marine -- been quite some time.

But when you look at our combat formations.

Maneuver battalions in the army won't go from 100 down to sixty or seventy.

You look at fighter aircraft and air force will go from about 1909.

To about 15100.

You look at a naval war vessels going from about 288.

To 238.

And when you look at the the trouble spots all over the world now's not the time for us to do this to our military which is what we've heard secretary -- Panetta.

Chairman joint she saw general Dempsey and all the service chiefs of the -- -- -- -- testified before the house armed services committee say that these cuts will be unacceptable.

You mentioned a secretary Panetta -- -- bring up a couple of others who have also tried to point out the danger of going down this path.

Representative -- key and one of your colleagues there in the house -- had that the armed services committee wrote a letter to the chairs co chairs of the super committee saying this quote.

-- sequestration work to -- -- the impact on our national security our men and women in uniform.

And the Department of Defense would be immediate Dyer and in some cases to -- a couple.

You mentioned secretary Panetta he also sent a letter out to senators Graham and McCain -- unfortunately.

-- large cuts are being imposed that Braxton national security would not be reduced.

And all of this discussion takes me back to name navy admiral Mike Mullen when he was the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Who said that our national debt is actually the biggest threat to our national security.

So why -- -- those on Capitol Hill get it together with that in mind.

Well I think that goes on Capitol Hill should have had the experiences that I have 22 years in the united states military.

Delivered to the times when we saw there.

Incredible cuts to the defense budget on the Clinton administration.

When we didn't have enough spare cars gasoline or even ammunition to go out properly try and our -- be an executive officer of battalion.

And -- to budget for all the Paper embarrass.

When I went to Iraq of 2003 -- didn't have enough body armor we've -- even have humvees on the on the doors on the humvees to include mind.

So I think that you know if we have people there had been on this 21 century about fill in Iraq -- Afghanistan.

Maybe they would do their job but unfortunately you do have some people on the other side of the aisle who think much so as Paul Krugman wrote.

Just let the nothing happened in the sequestration -- in because there of those people who think that the military.

The military -- -- in our veterans should be the bill payers for the fiscal responsibility Washington DC.

Congressman west we always appreciate your time and thank you for your service this country in the military -- thanks thank you sir.

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Can the Super Committee Get the Job Done?

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