The across-the-board U.S. Federal budget cuts better known as sequester took place on March 1, 2013. It didn’t take too long for people to notice and feel the effect. From airports to border crossings, impact will spread into many parts of our daily lives in coming months.
Some worry that the impact will affect the slowly moving economic recovery and the job market. Furloughed inspectors will impact food inspections at meat packing plants and that could drive up food prices and create artificial food shortages. Meat, poultry and other food factories are prohibited by Federal law to operate without the presence of Federal food inspectors. That could cost the food industry billion dollar losses. Long lines at airport customs and border crossings will frustrate travelers. Most of all, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that there will be 750,000 fewer jobs and slow the economic growth by 0.6 percent by the end of 2013.
The mandate itself is to blame for what is to come. It doesn’t allow moving programs or budgets and requires across-the-board cuts to all programs. Any Federal agency that seeks to deviate from the mandate should obtain approval from the House and Senate Appropriation subcommittees that oversee them.