The sequester, poverty and politics

Guests: Erik Stegman, Debbie Weinstein and Darren Samuelsohn

According to a new Washington Post poll, six out of 10 Americans say they haven’t yet felt the effect of this year’s $85 billion in discretionary spending cuts that went into effect on March 1st. But, across the country, in large cities and small rural communities, low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities have been bearing the brunt of the sequestration mandated by Congress. Many programs including Head Start, Meals on Wheels, unemployment insurance and housing assistance are facing real challenges in delivering assistance and services to a vulnerable population already hit hard by the recession. We’ll take a look at how some Americans are impacted by the sequester with the help of two experts on poverty — ERIK STEGMAN of Half in Ten, a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund and DEBBIE WEINSTEIN of the Coalition on Human Needs. Then we’ll hear from Politico reporter DARREN SAMUELSOHN about the politics of the sequestration and its impact on the government and its employees.

(AP Photo/Matt York)