President Obama calls upcoming forced spending cuts the `` wrong prescription '' and not a serious plan to reduce our deficits. The forced spending cuts to the military and other government agencies -- but not entitlement programs that drive chronic federal deficits -- were intended to motivate Congress to come up with a comprehensive deficit-reduction plan sought by both sides . Republican Sen. Rand Paul calls forced spending cuts `` the least we can do '' Without a deal , the cuts begin taking effect on March 1 .
President Obama calls upcoming forced spending cuts the `` wrong prescription '' and not a serious plan to reduce our deficits. Republican Sen. Rand Paul calls forced spending cuts `` the least we can do '' Without a deal , the cuts begin taking effect on March 1 .