After meeting with President Obama and Vice President Biden at the White House, Democratic governors today emphasized the effect the across-the-board spending cuts -- set to begin on March 1 -- would have on their states.
They also called on congressional Republicans to compromise to avert these spending cuts, commonly referred to as the "sequester."
"The only thing standing in the way of prosperity right now are the games being played by Republicans in Congress threatening to enter the sequester that will hurt the middle class, shrink job growth, and put us back into economic turmoil," said Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.
Shumlin added, "Our message to Republican governors will be simple -- speak up, stand up, or be part of the problem.”
The governors are in Washington for a National Governors Association meeting hosted at the White House this weekend, where they will participate in a dinner on Sunday night and meetings on Monday. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will also attend the meeting.