Just two months on from the last major political showdown over the US's budget deficit, Washington's politicos are arguing over the potential impact of automatic budget cuts which could hit on this week. The sequester was originally devised in 2011 to force Democrats and Republicans to strike a deal to cut the US deficit. But both sides seem to be poles apart with Republicans keen to reduce spending while Democrats want to raise revenue by ending taxbreaks for the wealthy. Inside Story Americas, with presenter Kimberly Halkett, spoke to Jo Comerford, the executive director of the National Priorities project, about the practical effects the cuts could have on the US and its citizens. To discuss the US's fiscal turbulence, we are also joined by guests: John Feehery, a Republican strategist; and John Nichols, Washington Correspondent for The Nation magazine.