President Obama speaks on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at the White House about the sequester as he stands with emergency responders, a group of workers the White House says could be affected if state and local governments lose federal money as a result of budget cuts. (Associated Press)

Photo by: Charles Dharapak

President Obama speaks on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at the White House about the sequester as he stands with emergency responders, a group of workers the White House says could be affected if state and local governments lose federal money as a result of budget cuts. (Associated Press)