The Real Effects of Sequestration on Defense Spending

Lawrence J. Korb explains why the effects of sequestration won't be as devastating for the Department of Defense as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta claims.

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Cabinet officers are expected to protect the interests of their departments. Therefore it is not surprising that Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta’s letter to Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) on Nov. 14, 2011 warns them that the effects of sequestration would be devastating for the Department of Defense. However, close examination of the letter demonstrates that the impact would not be as great as the Secretary claims.

The above excerpt was originally published in The Huffington Post. Click here to view the full article.

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