UPDATED 10:25 AM EST, February 17, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) — The new White House chief of staff says President Barack Obama is concerned about the effect the automatic budget cuts scheduled for next month will have on America's middle class.
Denis McDonough tells ABC's "This Week" that the economy has been getting stronger over the past few months. He cites improvements in housing, the stock market and consumer confidence.
He says the cuts will affect education, mental health services and food safety.
McDonough tells CBS' "Face the Nation" that Obama "is doing everything he can to not let this happen."
