SC GOP leaders: Budget cuts could be devastating - WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather

SC GOP leaders: Budget cuts could be devastating

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Republican leaders in South Carolina are warning that impending across-the-board cuts in federal spending will devastate military bases in the state.

Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, and Adjutant General Robert Livingston will discuss the impact of the cuts on Wednesday.

The Budget Control Act calls for $1.2 trillion in automatic cuts in domestic and military spending over the next 10 years. The cuts are referred to as "sequestration." They're due to start in January because a special panel couldn't reach a deal last summer to reduce the deficit.

Graham warned in May that a prime target would be the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which is supposed to be based at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort and Shaw Air Force Base outside Sumter.