McCain, two other senators visit Fayetteville

Monday, July 30, 2012

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cumberland county, local/state, gilbert baez

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was the Republican presidential nominee in the 2008 United States election, along with Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire kicked off their series of "Preserving America's Strength" town hall meetings at Fayetteville Technical Community College on Monday.

The three senators met with military contractors and the general public in Fayetteville. They said the $500 billion in military cuts will do more than just cripple the nation's defense.

"This is a devastating effect on the military and it translates to this community in terms of economic devastation," said Graham. "It would be like the major industry in a community -- all of them closing at once."

Graham said 40 percent of our gross state product is tied up in military defense and jobs are on the line.

"We're not really sure how it's going to affect us because we don't know what's going to get cut," said defense contractor Brian Kent. "And then it's compounded because next year Obamacare starts also. So, I've got two things effecting my bottom line."

While the senators admit Congress is to blame for the cuts, they said it was time for the president to step in because the nation's security is at risk.

"I want the president, who is commander-in-chief, to sit down with Republicans and Democrats. Call them over to the White House and solve this problem together."

Congress and the president have until January 1, 2013 to fix the problem before it really starts impacting North Carolinians.