Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement regarding the commencement of Federal sequestration:

“I am disappointed that Congress has not acted to prevent the damage that will be caused by Federal sequestration. I know President Obama and our Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi have shown tremendous leadership making sure we have a plan to that grows our nation’s economy, protects jobs and shrinks the deficit.

In San Francisco, the impact to City services, schools and public housing will be in excess of $25 million. Locally, this means that fewer low-income families will receive assistance to purchase necessary food, fewer youth aging out of foster care will receive support and education, and more homeless people will be unable to access shelter. I urge Congress to work with the President to stop these blunt cuts to our critical services in our nation’s cities.”