Blakey: 'We Urge ... A Balance Approach'

It's no secret that lawmakers have only a couple of weeks to come up with a solution to the looming "fiscal cliff" that will trigger automatic tax increases and spending cuts at the first of the year. As negotiations continue, Marion C. Blakey, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, issued a statement urging a balanced approach to getting the nation's fiscal house in order.

"On behalf of the aerospace and defense industry, which employs more than one million workers across all 50 states, we are encouraged that there are serious negotiations occurring between the White House and Congressional leadership to avoid our nation's imminent fiscal cliff," Blakey (pictured) said in the statement. "It is imperative that we set aside the looming disaster that sequestration would bring, both to our national security and our economy, and at the same time provide our country with a path to fundamental fiscal reform that provides stability and addresses the drivers of our deficit and our debt."

"Last year, significant reductions were made to discretionary spending as part of the Budget Control Act.  We urge negotiators to focus on a balanced approach that considers all reasonable solutions and ultimately produces a plan that also includes adequate revenue and entitlement reform.  Our country's long-term national security and financial health depend on it." 

FMI: www.aia-aerospace.org