'Sequester' Spending Cuts Expected To Kick In

05:59

February 25, 2013

Congress returns from recess this week and, though they will try, lawmakers are not expected to pass any measures that would stop the harsh across-the-board budget cuts known as "the sequester" from kicking in starting Friday.

Last night the White House put out 'fact sheets' that spelled out what cutting $85 billion dollars from government spending this year would mean when money starts to dry up, such as 70,000 fewer children in Head Start and 4,200 fewer children in Georgia receiving vaccinations.

But some of the President's critics are saying the sequester is over-hyped, or isn't large enough.

Washington Post congressional reporter Ed O'Keefe gets us up to speed.

Washington Post: White House releases state-by-state breakdown of sequester’s effects
Washington Post: The state-by-state impacts of sequestration

Guest:

Ed O'Keefe, congressional reporter for the Washington Post. He tweets @edatpost.

This segment aired on February 25, 2013.