Governors urge Congress to avoid automatic cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's governors are warning that Capitol Hill's latest budget stalemate is threatening economic progress in their states.

State leaders from across the country are gathering in Washington this weekend for the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association. Republican and Democratic governors joined on Friday to condemn massive automatic spending cuts - known as the "sequester" - that are set to begin on March 1.

White House officials warn that inaction could lead to widespread flight delays, shuttered airports, closed seashores and more than 1 million furloughed employees.

Congressional Republicans say they're willing to let the automatic spending cuts take effect. They oppose President Barack Obama's blend of targeted savings and tax increases to tackle federal deficits.