level about 9%. we re talking about both defense and non-defense jobs. sequestration impacts both elements of the budget. so the two million jobs span much more than just the defense side of it. so help me understand because i ve heard that argument and it makes sense. but then i look at some other numbers and it doesn t make sense. for example, the cuts, in terms of real terms, the cuts that the defense department already agreed to and then the sequestration on top of that would only be about 11%, in real terms. ronald reagan cut defense by 10% in his second term. george h.w. bush cut it. so this is right in line with those. that seems to make sense. yes, when you re talking about percentages, always matter where you re starting from. i think it s more instructive to actually look at the dollars being cut. if you look at the total between defense and nondefense, it would represent a reduction of over $100 billion in the coming fiscal year. and that s really the number yo
good evening, everyone. i m erin burnett. outfront tonight, the big scare. with just four days in the congress high tails it out of washingt washington, there was plenty of talk about the looming consequences of the looming fiscal cliff. we re talking about tax cuts expiring for everyone automatically, payroll taxes going up, emergency unemployment benefits ending and, of course, the $1.2 trillion in so-called sequestration cuts. about half of that sum is going to come from defense. the obligation of the commander in chief is to act like the commander in chief, and that would be to prevent these cuts, which in the words of his own secretary of defense, would devastate our national security. interesting, acting like a commander in chief, because a lot of the previous commanders in chief have done a lot more than barack obama may be about to do. we ve certainly been here before. former president ronald reagan during his second term cut defense spending by about 10%. the c
well, i m aware of information that you share from time to time. what i would ask that if you have the current rational for not doing it and whatever data supporting it. i think the committee would be some on the committee would be interested in seeing it. i appreciate your indulgence. also, can you tell us how much of this cargo congress said should be screened before it comes to this country is actually screened when it gets here? yes, i can give you those numbers. i ll be happy to provide those numbers to you. so your testimony that some of this cargo is already here before we look at it? it may be. it depends on the source, but again, there are multiple layers that go into examining and knowing what is in the containers that are? ships bounds for the united states. some of those layers begin before it gets to the point of exit and it has to do with trusted shippers, it has to do with other initiatives we have particularly some of the large ports of the world. others
and small business job act. aimed at providing regulatory relief. this package imposes a moratorium on any new regulation until unemployment drops to below 6%. it has been three years, over three years since our unemployment has dropped below 8%. this is the 41st month in a row where unemployment has been at or exceeded 8%. this bill aims to curtail the practice of midnight regulations, regulations that are promulgated after the day after the election through january 20 and highlights the increasing concern of sue and settle agreements. as a member of congress, i try to vote the right way and push forward practices so businesses can operate more effectively without the hand of government guiding it. i wanted to break down some of the bar years that are affecting job creators and their ability to hire to make this country work. and i thought i would talk about current events across the nation. some of these are state regular layings, some of these are local regulations, but th