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GOP senators warn about defense cuts

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    Sen. McCain, Sen. Ayotte speak out

  • Duration 6:48
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-- economy and -- some very big issues for the campaign and several top Republican senators.

Are visiting battleground states to warn about the likely impact of automatic budget cuts for the military -- when it comes the economy and shots today.

They're visiting -- -- air force base in Nevada and joining us now.

I from Las Vegas Arizona Senator John McCain the ranking Republican on that armed services committee and New Hampshire senator Ken lay out -- -- on the same committees nice to have.

Both senators with that's welcome to -- Good morning.

Senator got -- can't want to ask you a little bit about sequestration they have asked about politics first because you've been in this position.

That Mitt Romney is -- It's in 48 hours -- he made the announcement for vice president to take us behind the scenes what's happening inside the campaign right now.

And what would you do differently this time around what advice would you get Mitt Romney.

Well since I lost I'm hesitant to get.

I -- that.

-- I think that Paul Ryan is saying excellent choice.

And it is going to bring these issues to the forefront as you were just talking about.

Medicare is going broke is going broke.

And the -- United States and the Democrats have no plan and -- plan they can attack both Paul Ryan's plan.

Which by the way is voluntary.

But she emphasized if people want to keep under Paul Ryan's plan.

Present day Medicare they can but they want if they -- an option which is to choose your own health care plans.

Then they ought to be able to have that issue.

As well it's again it's -- philosophical difference this government dictated or do people make choices as to what's their best health care plans but most importantly.

The president United States has rejected every proposal whether it be sensible rules whether it be Republicans.

Or whatever as to address Medicare issues so all they can do is unleash their yapping attack dog some of whom -- you -- Your program.

To tear down Bryant Paul Ryan's plan when they have no plan of their realm and I don't think the American people are gonna put up -- it -- -- figure this out.

And let's not forget also that this is a planned as bipartisan.

Ron Wyden who's a Democrat from Oregon has cosponsored.

This type of -- -- Paul Ryan.

Okay so we do see the bipartisanship is -- necessary act the -- that things that.

That -- Paul Ryan is known for as a congressman is his ability to talk about these topics very clearly one of the things he's not known for as well.

And one of the reasons why some -- you saying that you could potentially be a vice presidential take.

It's your foreign policy experience for just getting some breaking news about the debates that are coming up.

Apparently the vice presidents -- of the presidential debate is gonna be moderated by.

-- -- ABC's foreign correspondent so.

That appears to be the focus what do you think senator -- that congressman Paul Ryan needs to do.

To really get up and ready to talk about foreign policy not just about the economy.

Well I think congressman Paul Ryan has shown some important leadership particularly on this issue -- sequestration why we're here in Nevada today.

He understands -- need a strong military and needs to make sure.

That America remains of the strong player in the world.

So I think that congressman Ryan will do his homework on these issues and let's not forget.

He is -- congress for over a decade and so certainly he's dealt with these issues he's had to take some important votes having to do with.

The wars that we've been in engaged and so I had confidence that he is ready.

These debates if -- sent separately -- conversation about.

Where we're gonna cut spending and where we're gonna spend money.

At -- is making argument that we have to deal by this food from the farmers because the -- needed to bad situation we have the drought going on.

That you're -- making argument that we're gonna need to spend money in the military TO Sunnis tough.

-- budgetary times how do you make your arguments -- the American people say that's really the priority.

Maybe some of this other stuff business.

Sequestration or cuts in defense secretary of defense is set would be devastating.

Our uniform military leaders.

Talked about the draconian and terrible effects it would.

Have on our national defense in a very dangerous world.

Meanwhile -- -- United States whose first and foremost obligation.

As commander in chief is sitting on the sidelines doing nothing.

He is 80 -- oh well I'm not sure he knows what that means.

And the point is that he should be taking the lead and listening to his own military leadership both civilian and military.

And addressing this issue of draconian cuts.

Which would prevent us from a insuring America's national security and he is again sitting on the sidelines and not showing leadership not for the first time.

Senator I had to build on -- say that everything he's -- on the table though.

And you've been -- today to negotiating with Democrats saying listen we'll take -- of the tax loopholes we'll look at that will close some of those.

And that's what we're -- -- -- you know offered a Democrats try -- get a compromise your city's -- don't happen and that's one of the things are offering.

So far that hasn't been successful so what's the next plan what are you gonna offer an earnest -- Democrats try to get them to compromise and prevent sequestration from happening.

What you would think that when you're on secretary defense says that we need shooting ourselves in the head and this would be catastrophic to our military we be holing out air force.

That that would be enough to motivate people but let's not forget as well.

But it's nearly a million jobs this -- we're here in Nevada right now.

It's over 4000 jobs in Nevada so I would call also on the majority leader Harry Reid wears his leadership on this issue.

We should not be using this is a political football.

And our commander -- -- the majority leader of the senate.

We're willing to work -- members of both sides of the -- to resolve the -- needs to be resolved before the election because.

Our men and women in uniform deserve this knowing that we are behind them and -- certainly.

Of -- that they won't be facing as devastating cuts as well as our defense employers can they have issued layoff notices every.

Could real quick and -- the right to commercially here but I understand that you invited senator Reid to come to this town hall that you're having today.

And that he is not attending -- -- if that's where the negotiations stand right now the senator reed you worked with for years well not even come.

And how -- should -- be if there's going to be any server solution.

It's I'm sorry that he couldn't fit it into his busy schedule I'm sorry that other senators haven't joined us.

As well.

But this this issue was so urgent and so compelling to the men and women who are serving our military and serving our nation.

Senator Graham and senator a and I will continue to do whatever we can we are ready to talk we've got to solve this but -- requires.

Leadership from the present -- United States.

Sanderson nice to be joining us today talking about a host citizens and rolling with things -- you.

And some of the news as it breaks thank you very much.

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