Defense and Homeland Security

Today continues to be a dangerous time for our country. While we have not had a single, successful act of domestic terrorism since September 11th, we still remain a constant target for terrorists – both at home and abroad. However, Americans are fortunate to have a strong military force of brave men and women fighting to preserve our freedom. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have always been fully committed to providing our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to succeed in their mission and I will continue to do so.

Two of the biggest topics discussed in the 111th Congress pertain to the terrorists detained at Guantanamo Bay and ending the fights in Afghanistan and Iraq. As one of his first acts as president, President Obama promised to close Guantanamo Bay within one year. One year later, he has made little to no progress in reaching this goal. While he has attempted to try some of the detainees on American soil in our civilian courts, so far all his requests for funding for these projects have been denied. I am strongly opposed to closing Gitmo and to bringing any terrorist detained there to American soil to be tried in a civilian court. For that reason, I have cosponsored H.R. 148 which would prohibit the use of funds to transfer enemy combatants detained by the US at Guantanamo to Fort Leavenworth, H.R. 701 which would prohibit the use of funds to transfer enemy combatants detained by the US at Guantanamo to any facility in Oklahoma, and H.R. 2294 the Keep Terrorists out of America Act.

In addition, during the Congress, President Obama announced that he would send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan by 2011. This followed recommendations by General McChrystal, head of operations in Afghanistan and appointed by President Obama in June 2009, for a troop surge similar to President Bush’s strategy with Iraq. General McChrystal requested more troops than the president agreed to send, however it appears as though his commitment to sending additional troops is a step in the right direction.

I will continue to work diligently to ensure that our government focuses on strengthening our national defense, provides the necessary resources to our armed forces, and provides Americans with freedom and security at home and throughout the world.

Press Releases Related to Defense and Homeland Security

• (7-27-2010) Lucas Statement on the Passage of the 2010 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill
• (12-1-2009) Lucas Reacts to President Obama's Afghanistan Strategy Announcement
• (6-11-2009) Oklahoma Delegation United on Vance Strike
• (4-22-2009) Lucas Slams Plan to Fund Guantanamo Bay Closing
• (1-27-2009) Lucas Supports Bill Blocking Gitmo Detainees from Oklahoma
• (1-23-2009) Inhofe-Boren-Fallin-Cole-Sullivan-Lucas Say No to Terrorist Coming to Oklahoma

 

Frankly Speaking on Defense and Homeland Security

• (08-20-2010) Strategy Shift in Iraq Shows Significant Progress in War on Terror
• (06-29-2010) Confirmation of Petraeus by Full Senate Must Be Quick
• (06-24-2010) President Obama Must Not Waive Iran Sanctions
• (03-11-2010) A Disconnected Congress
• (10-09-2009) Implementing a Successful Strategy in Afghanistan
• (06-03-2009) Who Is Misleading Who?
• (05-21-2009) Keep America Safe
• (01-27-2009) National Security Requires Solid Planning