Virginians have heard a lot in the last several weeks about sequestration, defense cuts and Washington deals.

In my travels throughout Virginia, I have had the opportunity to hear firsthand what this means from service-disabled veterans who own small businesses in the Shenandoah Valley, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. These businesses provide tactical equipment and services to our troops. One by one, these defense-related businesses tell me that sequestration means they are pulling back under uncertainty that is preventing them from creating new jobs.