President Barack Obama turned to local TV stations across the United States to increase pressure on Republicans to turn away from the $85 million budget cuts that are to begin in 9 days.
The President held five-minute interviews with many television stations that have strong military influences. During the interview, the Pentagon described its plans for sacking some 800,000 civilian employees for 22 days to save money.
"What I say to them is that there's no reason they should be furloughed, there's no reason they should lose their jobs or be laid off. This is a problem Congress can solve," Obama said in an interview with Baltimore CBS affiliate WJZ.
If Obama and Republicans do not reach a deal, about $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts will kick in at the beginning of March and continue through Sept. 30 as part of a decade-long $1.2 trillion budget savings plan agreed to by policymakers in 2011.
The White House operations will also face the consequences of this budget cut, an administration official said.
"We anticipate significant disruption to our operations and mission, which could include furloughs," said the official.
According to Obama, the dismissal of tax loopholes that allow the wealthy to enjoy more tax benefits could give lawmakers more time to pass a proper budget.
"We want to give more tax breaks to all the aviation companies in Kansas, so that they are hiring here and producing here," Obama said, arguing that the existing tax break for jet owners doesn't spur sales. "The reason people buy corporate jets is its extremely convenient and they can afford it. And they don't need an extra tax break.
"We want to give more tax breaks to all the aviation companies in Kansas, so that they are hiring here and producing here," he said, arguing that the existing tax break for jet owners doesn't spur sales.
