SequesterPresident Barack Obama warned Congress again about the so-called sequester Saturday during his weekly address. He urges lawmakers to act now to avert the deep spending cuts that will take effect on March 1.

President Obama warned about the impact on the nation’s economy and national security if Congress doesn’t act on it. The president said that if the sequester is allowed to go forward, thousands of Americans who work in the energy, security and education fields are likely to find themselves out of work. It would also place the economy at risk.

The president’s remarks were echoed in the statement issued by the White House Friday that warned the sequester would risk thousands of jobs as well as the economic security of the middle class. The Republicans blamed the White House for the sequester.

President Obama warned of the impact of the sequester on the nation’s military readiness that could affect their ability to respond to threats in some parts of the world. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday to do whatever they can to avoid the sequester.

Panetta described the impending cuts as legislative madness. They were designed to be so bad that no sane person would allow them to take effect. President Obama said that the good news is that there’s another option. He wants Congress to pass balanced cuts and close tax loopholes until they can find a way to replace the sequester with longer-term solution.

GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska laid out a blueprint that she said would help make energy affordable, abundant, clean, secure, and diverse. She added that energy is not a necessary evil. It is good. The nation can end its dependence on OPEC oil and make renewable energy more competitive. She wants to see research and not endless regulation to bolster technological innovation.