White House: All 50 states will lose

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The White House, putting pressure on Republicans, issued a breakdown Sunday of the impact of the looming sequestration on each of the 50 U.S. states.

Across the board budget cuts go into effect Friday unless Congress and the administration reach a compromise. Republicans want to trim back entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare, while Democrats want to close tax loopholes for corporations and the wealthy to raise more revenue.

"Unless Congress acts by March 1, a series of automatic cuts -- called the sequester -- will take effect that threaten hundreds of thousands of middle class jobs, and cut vital services for children, seniors, people with mental illness and our men and women in uniform," a White House statement said.

"There is no question that we need to cut the deficit, but the president believes it should be done in a balanced way that protects investments that the middle class relies on. Already, [President Obama] has worked with Congress to reduce the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion, but there's more to do ... .

"Unfortunately, many Republicans in Congress refuse to ask the wealthy to pay a little more by closing tax loopholes so that we can protect investments that are helping grow our economy and keep our country safe. By not asking the wealthy to pay a little more, Republicans are forcing our children, seniors, troops, military families and the entire middle class to bear the burden of deficit."

In U.S. House Speaker John Boehner's state of Ohio, the breakdown said, among a list of things the state stands to lose includes "approximately $25.1 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 350 teacher and aide jobs at risk."

"In addition," the statement continued, "about 34,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 100 fewer schools would receive funding.

"In addition, Ohio will lose approximately $22 million in funds for about 270 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities."