There is growing concern and new data that indicates automatic spending cuts that could go into affect next January would cripple the defense industry and have an equally devastating effect on the U.S. economy.
They are daunting numbers, an estimated 2.14 million jobs lost.
If Congress can't reach a budget deal by the first of the year automatic "sequestration" cuts will chop more than a trillion dollars in federal spending.
The report released Tuesday, commissioned by the Aerospace Industries Association, indicates defense will be hit hardest.
"The DOD hit is really 1.5 million jobs," explains study author Dr. Stephen Fuller, director of the Center for Regional Analysis.
"Every industry is on the chopping block, the guillotine falls in just 168 days," warns Marion Blakey, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association.
The spending reduction would not affect troops on the front lines in Afghanistan, but would impact procurements and lead to what some have called a "critical shortage of military resources."
The Pentagon now acknowledges sequestration is on its radar.
The study also shows that major job reductions could come in the health care industry, construction, and manufacturing.
The mayor of San Diego says it could reach all the way to the tourism industry.
"Cruise ships can't come through and dock and let people off if we don't have the border protection facilities," warned Mayor Jerry Sanders. "5 million people a year come off those ships and visit the san diego zoo."
That's just one of the reasons there will likely be no smooth sailing for lawmakers as the battle intensifies on Capitol Hill.
They are daunting numbers, an estimated 2.14 million jobs lost.
If Congress can't reach a budget deal by the first of the year automatic "sequestration" cuts will chop more than a trillion dollars in federal spending.
The report released Tuesday, commissioned by the Aerospace Industries Association, indicates defense will be hit hardest.
"The DOD hit is really 1.5 million jobs," explains study author Dr. Stephen Fuller, director of the Center for Regional Analysis.
"Every industry is on the chopping block, the guillotine falls in just 168 days," warns Marion Blakey, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association.
The spending reduction would not affect troops on the front lines in Afghanistan, but would impact procurements and lead to what some have called a "critical shortage of military resources."
The Pentagon now acknowledges sequestration is on its radar.
The study also shows that major job reductions could come in the health care industry, construction, and manufacturing.
The mayor of San Diego says it could reach all the way to the tourism industry.
"Cruise ships can't come through and dock and let people off if we don't have the border protection facilities," warned Mayor Jerry Sanders. "5 million people a year come off those ships and visit the san diego zoo."
That's just one of the reasons there will likely be no smooth sailing for lawmakers as the battle intensifies on Capitol Hill.
