Graham Opposes Budget Cuts for Military

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)– U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says South Carolina’s military bases will face massive reductions if across-the-board budget cuts take effect in January. The Republican lawmaker is touring the state, warning about the $1.2 trillion in cuts called for because Congress couldn’t reach a deficit-cutting deal last summer. Graham makes several stops Wednesday. In particular, Graham says two bases in South Carolina would face cancellation of the F-35 fighter jet. The jet is supposed to go to Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort and Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter. Graham is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He says there are ways for Congress to find ways to cut the defense budget responsibly, but the across-the-board cuts would leave the nation with the smallest military force in decades.