STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE COUNTY - $85 billion in federal cuts will go into effect if Congress can't agree to a budget deal by Friday.
It's being called the "sequester battle", and the deadline for these automatic cuts exists because of a deal reached in 2011 that was supposed to provide incentive for a budget deal. That hasn't happened yet, and now some are warning about potential cuts affecting everything from food inspection to air travel.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned that if a deal isn't reached, air-traffic controllers and other airport workers will have to be furloughed, and air travel may slow down dramatically.
"That will be detrimental to me," said Brad Cavanagh, a passenger flying out of the University Park Airport. Cavanagh runs a software implementation business, and travel is a big part of his company.
"It's going to affect when I schedule and how much time I have with the customer," he added.
On Saturday, President Obama urged Congress to go forward with his plan.
"I believe we should work together to build on the more than $2.5 trillion in deficit reduction we've already achieved," he said. "But I believe we should do it in a balanced way - with smart spending cuts, entitlement reform and tax reform."
In the Republican weekly address, Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), said the President's plan included raising taxes, and that would not fly with many Republicans.
"President Obama not only wants higher taxes, he's actually preventing economic growth and private-sector job creation," Hoeven said, pointing to what he says is the President's in-decision on approving the Keystone XL pipepline project.
So far, there's no sign of any concrete deal in the works as Friday's deadline approaches.
It's being called the "sequester battle", and the deadline for these automatic cuts exists because of a deal reached in 2011 that was supposed to provide incentive for a budget deal. That hasn't happened yet, and now some are warning about potential cuts affecting everything from food inspection to air travel.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned that if a deal isn't reached, air-traffic controllers and other airport workers will have to be furloughed, and air travel may slow down dramatically.
"That will be detrimental to me," said Brad Cavanagh, a passenger flying out of the University Park Airport. Cavanagh runs a software implementation business, and travel is a big part of his company.
"It's going to affect when I schedule and how much time I have with the customer," he added.
On Saturday, President Obama urged Congress to go forward with his plan.
"I believe we should work together to build on the more than $2.5 trillion in deficit reduction we've already achieved," he said. "But I believe we should do it in a balanced way - with smart spending cuts, entitlement reform and tax reform."
In the Republican weekly address, Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), said the President's plan included raising taxes, and that would not fly with many Republicans.
"President Obama not only wants higher taxes, he's actually preventing economic growth and private-sector job creation," Hoeven said, pointing to what he says is the President's in-decision on approving the Keystone XL pipepline project.
So far, there's no sign of any concrete deal in the works as Friday's deadline approaches.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.