Defense
Rep. Whitfield visits with Marines from Kentucky while visiting Iraq.
DEFENSE
I have always been a vocal proponent of maintaining a strong national defense. Since first being elected to Congress, I have fought to provide the men and women of our armed forces with the resources they need to protect the American people and confront those who wish to threaten our national interests. With our country currently engaged in military operations on multiple battlefields around the globe, that support is now more important than ever. While I encourage alternatives to conflict that do not put our troops in harm’s way whenever possible, I will never support any actions that may deprive our commanders and troops of the resources they need to accomplish their mission.
The First District of Kentucky is home to Fort Campbell and the more than 30,000 active duty soldiers it supports, including elite units like the 101st Airborne, the 5th Special Forces Group, and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. These units have seen multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. I have made repeated visits to Fort Campbell and military installations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and had many conversations with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Military Hospital. Through these interactions, I have become firmly aware of the needs of not only our soldiers on the field, but the families that support them back home.
As this session of Congress moves forward, I remain committed to ensuring that our troops and their families have everything they need to accomplish the tasks that have been entrusted to them. I intend to do everything possible to support projects at Fort Campbell that are essential to the operations of soldiers posted there. Additionally, I look forward to supporting and sponsoring legislation that seeks to improve quality of life for soldiers and their families.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, voted today in support of H.R. 3979, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA) which is critical for our troops at Fort Campbell, and for the local economy. The measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 300 to 119.
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power made the following statement regarding Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
“I thank Secretary Chuck Hagel for his honorable service to our country. He was a good Secretary of Defense that was given the daunting task of leading our military during a time of budget cuts, worldwide unrest, and with a White House that doesn’t seem to want to take the advice of our military leaders.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and Congressman Ed Whitfield today released the following statement regarding the Department of Defense announcing its Army Aviation Force Restructure removing the 159th Combat Aviation “Thunder” Brigade from Fort Campbell Army Base:
Today, The Wall Street Journal featured an article on Gen. Ray Odierno, the Army chief of staff, and his concerns over the same issue U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, has been diligently working in Congress to ensure the stability of the military, Whitfield, joined by the entire Kentucky Delegation in the United States House of Representatives, sent a letter last month (attached) to Colonel Robert C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, voted in support of House Resolution 644, that condemns and disapproves of the Obama administration's failure to comply with the lawful statutory requirement to notify Congress before releasing individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and expresses national security concerns over the release of five Taliban leaders and the repercussions of negotiating with terrorists. The measure passed the U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, joined by Reps. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), John Yarmuth (KY-03), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Hal Rogers (KY-05), and Andy Barr (KY-06) sent a letter today to Colonel Robert C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, met in his Washington office today with Major General Gary Volesky. Major General Volesky will be assuming command at Fort Campbell on June 20, 2014.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on
Energy and Power, met in his Washington office today with Brigadier General Ronald F. Lewis,
Deputy Commanding General of the 101st
Airborne Division at Fort Campbell.
Pictured above: Congressman Whitfield and Brigadier General Ronald Lewis.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, today announced he is an original cosponsor of legislation to prevent the Department of Defense (DOD) from closing or reducing operations of commissary stores and exchanges on military installations. DOD is currently discussing a plan to cut $1 billion from the Defense Commissary Agency by Fiscal Year 2017.