House Speaker talks sequester in Piqua

PIQUA, Ohio (WDTN) - "You can't keep spending money you don't have," says Speaker of the House John Boehner, (R) West Chester.

For the past 22 years, Congressman Boehner has hosted the Farm Forum.

It's a yearly event that brings farmers and agricultural experts together to discuss the industry.

Over 150 people attended Saturday's event at Edison Community College in Piqua.

This year's event was overshadowed by the federal spending cuts which the President authorized late Friday night.

"We had a very polite meeting at the White House yesterday.  But it's clear that the President does not want to consider anything to replace the sequester unless he gets more tax hikes on the American people," comments Congressman Boehner.

Congressman Boehner was asked what he would say to the thousands of people at Wright Patterson Air Force Base who face unpaid furloughs and are expected to have their pay cut by 20% due to these cuts.

"These cuts are going to be harmful.  They're going to have unintended consequences.  That's why the House acted twice last year to replace the sequester.  Senate Democrats did nothing, the President did nothing.  It wasn't like we didn't know this was coming," he says.

Congressman Boehner says he's still hopeful that Congress and the President will be able to come to an agreement and find a way to replace these spending cuts.