(KCEN) -- Only 6 days left till the dreaded sequester and there is hope that republicans and democrats can reach another 11th hour deal but time is ticking.
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said, "The uncertainty of sequestration is really harming our states and our national economy."
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper said, "This is something that nobody wants. It's not a balanced, thoughtful compromise."
Hope for a deal is fading but the president said today there is still time.
"These cuts don't have to happen. Congress can turn them off anytime with just a little compromise," Obama said in his weekend address.
Recent polls show a majority of Americans support the president's plan to avert the sequester through new taxes and spending cuts.
But House republicans say they just agreed to raise taxes and this deal should be solely based on slashing spending.
"House republicans have already passed two bills to replace the president's sequester. So the question is: Why won't he work with us? And the answer quite simply is because he wants higher taxes," said Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota.
Meanwhile the Obama Administration is warning of dire consequences arguing as many as 10-thousand teachers could be laid off.
More than a thousand FBI agents could see cutbacks or furloughs.
And there could be so many as 2,100 fewer food safety inspections.
On Friday outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood said travelers would see major delays.
"Gonna have a real impact this is a big deal."
Lahood said the FAA would need to trim $1-billion, that's less than 2 percent of the entire transportation budget.
Tennessee Representative Marsha Blackburn says, "I think you've got a little bit of scare tactics going on there."
And there is still finger pointing over whose idea this was in the first place.
In a Washington Post opinion article Bob Woodward claims it came directly from the White House, "Obama personally approved the plan."
It was just two months ago that Washington struck together another last minute deal over the fiscal cliff.
