The following is from an editorial in the Kansas City Star:
In the beginning, federal sequestration was a a last resort thought to be so outrageous it would force Congress to finally do its job.
That hasn't happened. Lawmakers left Washington for a five-week recess with no serious attempt to negotiate a budget that would actually make sense.
Out in the trenches, federal employees are feeling the effects of the arbitrary budget cuts brought on by sequestration. That includes furloughs and lack of resources to get work done.
U.S. attorneys took the unusual step last week of going public with their frustrations.
Tammy Dickinson, the top law enforcement official for the Western District of Missouri, said her budget has been cut by 10 percent and could be slashed an additional 15 percent next year. Her counterpart in Kansas, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom, is faces similar cuts. Both are unable to fill job vacancies.
Unfortunately, crime has not paused for sequestration. Lack of staffing and resources is forcing U.S. attorneys to make tough decisions. Prosecuting Medicare fraud, human trafficking, online child sexual exploitation and drug trafficking is complex work. Cutting back on those duties surely can't be what Americans have in mind when they call for less government.
Cuts to law enforcement are dangerous. By stopping fraud and collecting fines from civil and criminal convictions, U.S. attorney offices make money for the U.S. Treasury. Last year, the offices nationwide netted more than $11 billion.
Americans want their elected leaders to pass a budget that protects essential functions while making hard decisions on entitlements and taxes.
Unfortunately, the dysfunctional Republican Party seems more interested in feuding with the White House.