Senate Republicans Look To Sidestep Defense Sequester

Senate Republicans are looking for ways to sidestep an automatic sequester to Defense Department spending set to go into effect in 2013 as a result of failed super committee negotiations. 

Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H. ) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced Wednesday that they plan to introduce legislation early in 2013 that would slash enough discretionary spending to offset incoming cuts to the country’s military.

“If the special committee had done its work, it would be over. It would be done all at once,” Kyl, a participant in the 12-member deficit reduction panel, said.  

“It could be done in an annual decision,” Kyl added. “Once a year we could decide to take the money that would otherwise be sequestered, pull the savings together that would offset that, and pass that.” 

Kyl acknowledged that fact that this process would require bipartisan, bicameral negotiations; a process that has become increasingly difficult to envision given the gamesmanship that has enveloped nearly every debate in Congress.

Senate Republicans told reporters that they’ve already spoken with House members that have agreed to maneuver around the automatic sequester. 

“The bottom line is that we will identify savings, we will present that in the best legislative vehicle  we can, and thereby offset the savings that would be required through the sequester,” Kyl said.

Graham hammered home Kyl’s sentiment. 

“My bet is that when this debate is all said and done, the Defense Department’s not gonna be gutted.”