U.S. Rep. Martha Roby discusses sequester at Kiwanis event

U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, said Monday she believed Congress’ recent move to free up money to relieve the nation’s burdened air traffic control system showed the problems of the sequester could be addressed through approaches other than higher taxes.

“The FAA bill, in my opinion, highlights and throws some holes in the arguments that we need to raise taxes (to balance the budget),” Roby told a gathering of the Capital City Kiwanis at the RSA Plaza. “Getting our friends on the other side of the aisle to vote for the FAA bill shows you don’t have to raise taxes; you can re-prioritize spending.”

Congress on Friday voted to move up to $253 million in airport improvement money to air traffic control, where the impact of the sequester had started to lead to flight delays. President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress had previously said money to relieve the delays could only be part of a broader deal on budgets and taxes.

Other congressional Republicans, including House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., have made similar arguments about the effect of the sequester.

Roby voted against the sequester in 2011, voting instead for a proposed “Cut, Cap and Balance Act” that would have raised the nation’s debt limit — which congressional Republicans had refused to do — if Congress approved a balanced-budget amendment and cut $111 billion in spending. The measure did not have a chance of passage in the Senate.

The second-term representative also highlighted appropriations on a stopgap funding resolution that will provide funding for certain military and veterans’ benefits, including $133.9 billion for veterans’ affairs. Roby said it would give commanders “the chance to re-prioritize” spending.

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