Many including children will be put in harm when the scheduled series of automatic budget cuts is set to go into effect beginning 2013 after the super-committee charged with reducing our nation’s debt has failed.
Although, mandatory programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and food items are protected from cuts.
Report from the Congressional Budget Office shows that nonexempt discretionary programs could be cut by as much as nine percent in 2013.
This means that education, health, early-childhood, housing and other programs that help children will suffer due to inadequate funding for basic services.
Many infants may not overcome developmental challenges in time to be ready for kindergarten if the nutrition program for young children is cut.
Another situation foreseen is the increase in college drop outs if tuition aid is slashed.
Some may end up at a homeless shelter if unemployment benefits run out and they are evicted.
The Budget Control Act passed in August established that the absence of a compromise agreement would trigger $1.2 trillion in spending cuts spread over ten years.
It will be split equally between defense and non-defense discretionary
expenditures.
Much concerns are thrown to children who are feared to be fallen behind and may never catch up without adequate funding for basic supports.
Due to changed climate in the nation’s capital, the backup automatic provision was seen by some as necessary to ensure deficit reduction.
Automatic cuts like the proposed cap spending are not cures for
reversing our nation’s debt problems.
These help legislators avoid criticism and some will take credit for
delivering on the “no new taxes” pledges.