Politics & Government

Sequestration 2013: Hoyer Says NASA Goddard Contractors Could See Layoffs

Hoyer said he will continue to make job creation a priority and help Congress work toward a balanced agreement.

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) said Tuesday that although NASA Goddard's budget won't be affected much by the sequestration, its contracts with some local businesses could be reduced or eliminated, leading to possible layoffs.

“While, thankfully, it appears that NASA Goddard Space Flight Center may not be as severely affected as some other NASA centers, we are still likely to see local businesses that contract with NASA and with the military, like many of you here today, take a significant hit," Hoyer said at a luncheon hosted by the Maryland Space Business Roundtable in Greenbelt.

The sequester would also cut into research funds, he said, which might reduce the number of student pursuing careers in STEM fields.

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"Congress owes it to you and your employees – and to all in our country who will be affected – to turn off the sequester by reaching a balanced agreement to restore fiscal discipline," Hoyer added. "The sequester’s impact will not be felt immediately but gradually over the coming weeks and months, so we still have time to fix this problem before your businesses have to face the worst of it."

Hoyer reasserted his support for the 5th district and said job creation would remain his priority.

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He said in the weeks ahead he'll continue to promote a "balance solution that can avert the full impact of these cuts on our District and on your businesses."

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