Austria Uses Obama

COLUMBUS -- Congressman Steve Austria is using President Barack Obama's campaign stop in Columbus to debate budget cuts that Austria says would severely cut the number of National Guard jobs in Ohio."I have concerns about the disproportionate, large number of cuts aimed towards the Ohio Air National Guard, which performs in theater missions, as well as disaster relief and homeland security missions," said Austria.  "Our National Guard and Reservists work in a cost effective manner while responding to the needs and threats of our nation.  If the President's proposal is implemented, and Rickenbacker, Springfield, and Mansfield do not receive a re-mission, our region stands to lose over 1,000 jobs."Obama flew into Rickenbacker International Airport, home of the 121st Air Refueling Wing and the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.The House version of the FY2013 Defense Appropriations Bill, which passed the House by a veto proof majority (326-90), includes language that would prevent these proposed cuts. In June, the White House indicated it would veto the bill, if given the chance.In an June 28 statement, the administration said it preferred the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011."By adding unrequested funding for defense, the House of Representatives departs from the bipartisan understanding reached a year ago," the statement read. "Upending the balance in the BCA has negative consequences that will, for example, cost jobs and hurt average Americans, especially seniors, veterans, and children -- as well as degrade many of the basic Government services on which the American people rely such as air traffic control and law enforcement."Read the Statement of Administration Policy here.