WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans expressed shock yesterday at President Obama’s debate claim that “sequestration” cuts in defense spending scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1 “will not happen.”
“I was stunned to hear that sequestration won’t happen,” said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on a GOP conference call yesterday.
McCain accused Obama of “hubris and arrogance” because skirting the budget cuts will require congressional approval.
The White House tried to tamp down any surprise at Obama’s remark about defense cuts that are part of across-the-board spending reductions put in place when Congress voted to raise the nation’s debt limit.
“What the president said last night was a reiteration of what his position has long been,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One.