Inhofe Bi-Partisan Water Bill Advances to Senate Floor

Inhofe Still Awaiting Response from DoD on NLOS-C

Inhofe Co-Sponsors Legislation to Protect Military Voters

Inhofe Agrees With Obama Decision Not to Release Photos of Detainee Abuse

Inhofe Praises General McKiernan and Welcomes Lieutenant General McChrystal

In the News: Bill could open the tap for water projects in state

In the News: U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe attacks decision to cancel Army cannon

In command: General switch shows decisiveness of Robert Gates

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Inhofe Bi-Partisan Water Bill Advances to Senate Floor

On Thursday, Senator James Inhofe, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, welcomed Committee passage of a bill he cosponsored, S. 1005, the Water Infrastructure Financing Act. The bill passed out of Committee by a vote of 17 to 2.  

“The overwhelming bi-partisan vote today for our water infrastructure bill shows that we have a good chance of passing it on the Senate Floor,” Senator Inhofe said. “Through my leadership position on the EPW Committee, I have made reauthorization of the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) one of my top priorities. I am pleased to have worked closely with Senators Cardin, Crapo and Boxer to pass our bill that balances the needs of all states, especially rural states like Oklahoma. Addressing our nation’s water needs must be one of our top priorities.  For far too long the federal government has burdened state and local governments with unfunded mandates. This bi-partisan bill will go a long way in helping our state and local communities meet their water needs.” 

On May 7, 2009, Senator Inhofe joined Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID), and EPW Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA), to introduce S. 1005, the Water Infrastructure Financing Act, which provides essential funding for our nation’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

Inhofe Still Awaiting Response from DoD on NLOS-C

On Thursday, Senator Inhofe restated his deep concern about the President’s proposed 2010 defense budget and future military readiness to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen testified Thursday on the President’s 2010 Budget that was delivered to Congress last week. 

"Secretary Gates today confirmed his April 6^th announcement and last week’s budget release that the Obama administration plans to go forward with deeply cutting or cancelling a wide range of national defense programs,” Senator Inhofe said.  “Among them were programs like the vehicle portion of the Army’s Future Combat System (FCS), which served as the Army’s modernization initiative since 2004.  

“I disagree with Secretary Gates’ decision and his reasoning to cancel the manned ground vehicle portion of FCS.  For eight years, the requirement for the FCS manned ground vehicles was validated and revalidated by both Army and Joint Requirements Oversight Councils with the Department of Defense (DoD) providing oversight of the entire program.  The chassis design changes reflect input from the Army based upon feedback from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The design also ensures these vehicles remain effective throughout the spectrum of conflict. Currently, three prototypes of the Non-Line of Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) are undergoing testing and have fired over 4,000 rounds.  

“Secretary Gates’ decision once again sends the Army back to the drawing board and leaves our Soldiers without a vehicle modernization program.  The requirement to modernize the Army’s fleet of rapidly aging combat vehicles has not changed for over a decade.  The fact remains that an Army modernization program currently exists that meets the requirements generated by the Army and approved by the Department of Defense: the Future Combat Systems.  Billions of taxpayer dollars have been invested in developing the FCS systems and technology.  FCS remains the Army’s most developed and technologically advanced modernization system with vehicle prototypes currently being tested. 

“While I was pleased with Secretary Gates’ statement of support for Army vehicle modernization, I am concerned with what Secretary Gates did not say.  For the past seven years, Congress has written into law requirements for production of the NLOS-C through low-rate initial production in 2010.  Secretary Gates stated that all money in the out-years for the FCS manned ground vehicle program would be protected for Army vehicle modernization.  Unfortunately, there is currently no current Future Years Defense Program available and the 2010 Defense Budget cuts $1.2 billion dollars from the Army’s combat vehicle account. 

“I am deeply concerned that we are on our way to another defense procurement holiday similar to the 1990s, a decision that will negatively affect our military readiness for years to come, and potentially the next war.”

Inhofe Co-Sponsors Legislation to Protect Military Voters

Senator Inhofe is a co-sponsor of the Military Voting Protection Act of 2009, S.1026, introduced Tuesday by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). The legislation attempts to reduce delays in the current absentee voting process for our overseas troops by allowing the U.S. Postal Service to express-ship their completed absentee ballots to local election offices.  The bill amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986 (UOCAVA) and ensures that the ballots are delivered to the appropriate state election officials by the jurisdiction’s statutory deadline, while safeguarding voter privacy and ballot secrecy.  The bill would apply to all regularly scheduled general elections for federal office, beginning with the November 2010 election.  

“While our troops overseas are in harm’s way defending the freedoms that we enjoy every day, they continue to face significant obstacles when trying to participate in one of our most fundamental freedoms – the right to vote,” Senator Inhofe said. “Data collected from the 2004 and 2006 elections showed that efforts made by our deployed troops to exercise their right to vote were hindered by inadequate processes, slow delivery methods, and countless other absentee voting procedures that are often confusing and vary with each state.  

“Their votes are important to me and to the rest of the American people who continue to benefit from their bravery and selfless service. This bill will go far to fix this insult to our troops. Supporting this bill is both a privilege and a personal obligation.  We must ensure these brave Americans, who are serving overseas to protect our way of life, have their voice counted in choosing their elected leaders.” 

Senator Cornyn said, “In the November 2006 election, the most recent election for which we have official data, just 5.5 percent of eligible military and overseas citizen voters were able to cast a ballot. This is a national disgrace. It is imperative that we put a system in place to ensure our troops serving abroad can participate in the democratic process. It is because of their sacrifice that every American has the right to vote in free and fair elections; the least we can do is guarantee them these same civil rights. The MVP Act is intended to do just that. It would dramatically improve the process for our men and women in uniform to help ensure every one of their votes matters.” 

Background:

After the 2006 election, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission found that only 47.6% of the overseas military voters who requested absentee ballots actually had their ballots cast or counted. Therefore, in August of 2008, Senator Inhofe joined Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to send a letter to then, U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey requesting that the Department of Justice investigate established voting procedures for members of the U.S. Armed Forces during recent and upcoming elections. Senator Inhofe was also an original co-sponsor of the Military Voting Protection of 2008.  

Specifically, the Military Voting Protection Act of 2009 would require the Department of Defense to:

-          Provide for the expedited collection, tracking, and delivery of the completed absentee ballots of overseas military voters, utilizing the express mail delivery services of the U.S. Postal Service. 

-          Inform overseas military voters about this new option for casting their ballots.

-          Six months after enactment, report to Congress on the status of the implementation of this program for the November 2010 election.

-          After each general election, report to Congress with data on the utilization of this program by overseas military voters during the election.  

Inhofe Agrees With Obama Decision Not to Release Photos of Detainee Abuse

Senator Inhofe agreed with President Obama’s decision made Wednesday not to release photographs of detainee abuse that occurred several years ago.  The individuals in the photos have been investigated and punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, resulting in confinements, courts martial, discharges, and demotions, as well as other measures.  

“President Obama made the right choice today by announcing that he would not release photos of detainee abuses that occurred in the past,” Senator Inhofe said.  “To do so would have needlessly hampered our current efforts in the War on Terror, endangered our troops, and negatively impacted our national security, without serving any public good.  We embolden our enemies with each piece of additional information released. We enable their cause to fight us when details on our tactics and procedures are made public for the sake of politics. Every time we reinvestigate our troops, we jeopardize our ongoing operations and the safety of our men and women on the front lines. 

“There have been abuses in detainee operations in the past, but significant improvements have been made to our detainee operations system, a program that is of the utmost importance to the continuing success of the War on Terror.   These improvements ensure that our military is able to responsibly continue to safely and humanely hold detainees.  Furthermore, action has been taken against the individuals involved in these pictures, and hundreds of investigations into the handling of detainees in U.S. custody have been undertaken by the Department of Defense.  These cases of abuse led to the passage of the Detainee Treatment Act and the Military Commissions Act, legislation that has comprehensively improved our detainee operations systems.”  

Inhofe Praises General McKiernan and Welcomes Lieutenant General McChrystal

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, commented on Monday's announcement by Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates asking for the resignation of the top U.S. Commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan. To replace General McKiernan, Secretary Gates has nominated Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal, a former special operations commander, and the current director of the Joint Staff. He also announced that Lieutenant General David M. Rodriguez, who currently serves as top military aide to Secretary Gates, will serve as deputy to McChrystal in Afghanistan. Secretary Gates made the announcement earlier today at a Pentagon news conference alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen.

“General McKiernan is a combat proven warrior – a man who epitomizes the words honor and integrity,” Senator Inhofe said. “I had the great privilege to meet with General McKiernan in Afghanistan last December and again this past month. He has always demonstrated a clear understanding of what was needed to succeed in Afghanistan and he continually pressed for additional troops in order to achieve that success. He also oversaw the initial troop increases under the Bush administration and the current increase in U.S. troops ordered by President Obama.  

“I also want to warmly welcome both Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal and Lieutenant General David M. Rodriguez to their new posts. They are two of the most qualified generals in the Army, and are extremely respected across the services. I am confident in their leadership styles and their expertise to successfully execute the mission in Afghanistan. 

Background:

Lieutenant General McChrystal is currently the director of the joint staff. From 2006 to August 2008, he was the former commander of U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, responsible for tracking down high-level leaders of the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq, including its former leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Lieutenant General Rodriguez is a career infantry officer and Gulf War (1991) veteran.  He was previously the 82d Airborne Division Commander at Ft Bragg, Commander of Multi-National Division – Northwest in Iraq, and the Assistant Division Commander, 4^th Infantry Division at Fort Hood.

In the News: Bill could open the tap for water projects in state

Tulsa World

by: JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
May 15, 2009

In the News: U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe attacks decision to cancel Army cannon

The Oklahoman

BY CHRIS CASTEEL

May 15, 2009

WASHINGTON - Sen. Jim Inhofe squared off with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday over the decision to cancel a U.S. Army cannon that was to be partially assembled in Elgin.

Inhofe, R-Tulsa, said he disagreed with Gates' decision to cancel the cannon and other proposed manned ground vehicles that are part of the Army's Future Combat Systems.

At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Inhofe told Gates Congress had mandated a cannon production schedule. That schedule runs through September 2010.

"How do you plan to handle the fact that we have a law that says you're going to have to do something you've said you're not going to do?" Inhofe said.

Gates didn't directly answer, but he defended his decision to cancel the eight vehicles, saying the designs and the contracts for the vehicles were flawed.

"The original design of this program, including the cannon, did not take into account the lessons we have learned in Iraq and Afghanistan," Gates said.

The infantry fighting vehicle "had a flat bottom, 18 inches off the ground," Gates said. That design is considered too vulnerable to explosive devices that troops have encountered in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Need to modernize

Gates said he agreed with Inhofe the Army must modernize its vehicles and said it was that service's highest priority.

"I totally support it," Gates said. "But we've got to get it right if we're going to spend $150 billion on it."

After the hearing, Inhofe said billions of dollars had been spent on the vehicle program and that it met the requirements set by the Army and the Department of Defense.

"Secretary Gates' decision once again sends the Army back to the drawing board and leaves our soldiers without a vehicle modernization program," Inhofe said.

New plan expected

At a separate hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff, suggested he had resisted the cancellation of the vehicles.

Casey said he "was not able to convince the secretary of defense that we had incorporated enough of the lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Casey said he expects the Army to come back with a new proposal for vehicles this fall.

In command: General switch shows decisiveness of Robert Gates

The Oklahoman Editorial

May 13, 2009

Generals of the caliber of Washington, Lee, Grant, MacArthur and Eisenhower don't come along often - a noteworthy point after this week's dismissal of Gen. David McKiernan, the U.S. ground commander in Afghanistan.

High military command is the ultimate test of intelligence, courage and that great intangible, leadership. McKiernan is an excellent officer with a distinguished record, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates didn't believe he was the right general for Afghanistan.

McKiernan's replacement, Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, is among the Army's top authorities on counterinsurgency tactics. Afghanistan will test his mettle, and Gates' judgment.

It's unfortunate for McKiernan, whom Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, called a "combat-proven warrior." But the move signals a Gates strength: the ability to move decisively when required.

Since replacing Donald Rumsfeld in 2006, Gates has swiftly addressed incompatibility, as in McKiernan's case, and incompetence, such as when he dismissed senior military and civilian officials for nuclear weapons mismanagement and failures at Walter Reed Medical Center.

It's hard to remove a commander from the battlefield. It hadn't happened since President Truman fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War. During the Civil War, President Lincoln went through a number of generals before finding Ulysses Grant.

Secretary Gates, who sold the McKiernan decision to President Barack Obama, deserves credit for refusing to wait on the regular command rotation to get the right leader in place in Afghanistan.

We thank Gen. McKiernan for his service yet have confidence Gates has chosen wisely in Gen. McChrystal.