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Congressman Mike Turner released the following statement upon receipt of President Obama’s report to Congress on the ongoing war in Libya:
“The President’s report to Congress is an attempt to evade Congressional approval of military action in Libya. His response also fails to answer the questions I and many other Members have been asking for months. We still do not know who the rebel forces are, what the plans are if the Gadahfi regime falls, and the time frame of our commitment to this conflict.
“Two weeks ago, the House passed H.Res. 292, setting the deadline for this Sunday for a response from the President on our current and future involvement in Libya. If the President does not formally seek Congress’ approval to continue military action, we must act to disapprove of the U.S. operations in Libya immediately.
“On June 2nd, I introduced H.Con.Res. 58, which would formally state the House’s disapproval of the U.S. military involvement in Libya. With 77 cosponsors and bipartisan support, this bill would send a clear message to the President that the U.S. Congress does not approve the current operations in Libya.”
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday urged legislation that would pay all Delphi retirees their full pensions.
“These Delphi retirees are entitled to these benefits,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. “These benefits were wrongly taken from them.”
Read the full article at the Dayton Daily News
This past month, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). As a member of the House Armed Services Committee I had the opportunity to work on behalf of the Third District and included a number of provisions in this annual bill which will aid our community and our Defense Department. This includes provisions which enhance leadership at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and meet the airspace needs for Unmanned Aerial Systems.
AFIT must have military leadership in order to maintain preeminence and relevance in the years ahead. That’s why I included language which would provide that top level military leadership while simultaneously ensuring educational continuity by establishing a Senior Executive Service level Provost position. This effort closely mirrors the leadership structure at the U.S. Navy operated Post Graduate School and is identical to legislation that Sen. Rob Portman and I have since introduced.
The proposal allows for the Secretary of the Air Force to fill the top slot at AFIT with either an active duty Colonel or a retired Brigadier General or higher. This would ensure the AFIT retains the attention of top level leadership while providing the Secretary of the Air Force discretion as to filling the position with active duty or retired personnel. Furthermore this proposal is consistent with Secretary Gates’ goal of reducing the number of flag officers in our armed forces.
With a number of scientists eligible for retirement at our government laboratories, those facilities need to have an edge to stay competitive with the commercial market and bring talented personnel into Department of Defense. Our nation’s Defense Laboratories are experiencing both a critical hiring need and a severe shortage of engineers and scientists with advanced degrees. My language included via an amendment while the NDAA was being considered by the full House Armed Services Committee, eliminates the sunset provision of the Defense Laboratory hiring authority which I had placed in the Fiscal Year 2009 NDAA.
The provision allows AFRL to waive some advertising and preference requirements, but maintains the requirement that applicants meet all relevant qualifications. Since the enactment of the legislation, AFRL and the other defense laboratories have been able to reduce the hiring time by weeks and has become a critical tool of AFRL personnel management to hire the best scientific talent. In fact, a recent Defense Department report showed that “direct hire” generally cut the number of days it took to hire an applicant from 147 to 91.
This bill also allows the AFRL to play a role in the decisions on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) testing needs. AFRL has a number of experts who have pioneered the expanding field of unmanned flight. Ohio, the birthplace of flight will continue that tradition by playing a key role in integrating UAS into the National Airspace System. The House Armed Services Committee has noted that the availability of special use airspace is important to research related to UAS and the needs of our national defense
The approved bill with this language urges the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration to place a high priority on meeting national defense needs for special use airspace related to UAS research, including addressing defense needs for special use airspace for research in “detect and destroy” technologies. This important both for Wright Patterson Air Force Base and potential testing facilities like the Wilmington Air Park.
As the National Defense Authorization Act makes its way through the Senate, I will be working with our Senators to ensure that these provisions remain a part of this legislation. Our community has the opportunity to benefit from these provisions through increased educational training, swifter hiring processes and an expanded field for new research possibilities. I look forward to this bill passing the Senate and making its way to the President’s desk to become law.
Legislation Has the Bipartisan Support of House Members
Congressman Mike Turner introduced a House Concurrent Resolution (H.Con.Res. 58) which states that “Congress does not approve United States intervention in Libya.” The resolution was introduced with the bipartisan support of 62 original cosponsors.
“Since the President engaged the United States in military action in Libya, he has not explained to Congress what the U.S.’ role is, nor has he clearly outlined how that role will be carried out. In the over 60 days since U.S. involvement began, we have watched our mission evolve considerably. Recently, U.S. Adm. Samuel Locklear, Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples overseeing the operation, even suggested that this effort will likely require soldiers on the ground to ensure stability in the region once Gaddafi is removed” said Turner.
Turner added that, “Secretary Gates came before Congress and was unable to answer basic questions such as who the rebel forces are. Additionally, we don’t know their plans for a government structure, political ideology, their geopolitical view towards their neighbors or the U.S, or their commitment to domestic diversity. We are also unsure about the status of Gaddafi’s weapons of mass destruction, and if al-Qaeda is operating in the country – where they had not been previously.”
“This action thus far has placed us in a dangerous position and this resolution sends a clear message to the President that Congress disapproves of our role in Libya,” concluded Turner.
House Passed Bill Ensures FCC Takes No Action that would Harm the Military’s Use of GPS
Congressman Mike Turner strengthened his language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which requires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress if he determines there is widespread interference with the military’s use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) caused by a commercial communications service. The revised language states that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shall not provide final authorization for LightSquared operations until Defense Department concerns about GPS interference have been resolved. Turner, the House Armed Services Subcommittee Chairman on Strategic Forces, has legislative jurisdiction over space and satellite systems. Passage by the full House today sends the bill to the Senate for their action.
“Our military is heavily reliant on an uninterrupted GPS capability to do their jobs. The risk to our forces of the widespread denial of GPS was too great and required action. I am glad that my amendment ensuring that the Department of Defense’s concerns are addressed before LightSquared moves ahead passed overwhelming in the House today,” said Turner.
In January 2011, the FCC granted a conditional waiver to a single commercial communications company, called LightSquared, to build tens of thousands of ground stations that may cause widespread interference to neighboring GPS signals. The Commander of Air Force Space Command, General William Shelton, told Turner in March 2011 that, based on analysis he had seen to-date, “that virtually every GPS receiver out there would be affected.”
Turner further stated, “It is unacceptable for our armed forces to be put at greater risk or made less effective as a result of LightSquared’s operations. Congress and the Defense Department must have assurances from the FCC and this Administration that it will fully resolve the harmful interference issue prior to granting LightSquared final authorization to provide service. Our troops are depending on our government, and the FCC, to do the right thing.”
Congressman Mike Turner released the following statement upon the House rejecting an increase of the nation’s statutory debt limit:
“This evening a bipartisan majority of the House recognized that Washington cannot continue its path of excessive spending, without enacting real reforms that will cut spending and create jobs. Over the past four years, I have voted against $2.3 trillion of government spending. The growth of our economy and a balanced budget will not be realized by borrowing an additional $2 trillion we don’t have and passing the bill on to American families.
In the past five years alone, our national debt has increased $4.8 trillion, or 15 percent per year. Nearly a third of that debt was accumulated in the past three years and can be directly attributed to deficit spending and the unsustainable growth of our entitlement programs.
It’s time to get serious about our budget and our priorities. In order to balance our budget and begin to pay off this massive debt, we must begin to make the tough choices that have been put off for far too long.”
Legislation Would Ensure White House Honors Promise of a Sustainable Nuclear Deterrent;
Require Congress to be Involved in Arms Control Reductions below New START Levels
The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which included major parts of Congressman Mike Turner’s “New START Treaty Implementation Act.” As the NDAA heads to the Senate, Turner’s provisions will codify the White House’s own promised “To-Do List” from last year’s New START Treaty debate. Yesterday, Sen. Jon Kyl introduced his nearly identical legislation (S. 1097) in the Senate. This follows the White House’s announcement that the President’s senior advisors would recommend he veto the bill if the New START Implementation Act provisions were included.
“It was surprising to learn that the President had issued a veto threat even though the provisions of this bill are consistent with his own Administration’s stated policies. Will he not modernize our nuclear forces as he had stated? Will he unilaterally withdraw nuclear forces from Europe? If the answers to these questions are no, then he should have no issue with this legislation,” said Turner, who is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.
“During last year’s New START debate, a bipartisan consensus formed around the need for modernizing our nuclear weapons, delivery systems, and infrastructure. The President has promised a robust ten-year modernization program, but the project to create a sustainable deterrent will transcend several administrations. We need to act now and codify the promised ‘To-Do-List’ for modernizing our nuclear forces,” added Turner.
“I look forward to working with Sen. Jon Kyl and the Senate as this legislation makes its way to the President. I am grateful for the support of House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon, and other members of the committee and House who spoke in support of these provisions. These are leaders who understand what our strategic capabilities mean to the defense of this nation and our allies,” noted Turner.
Highlights of Turner’s New START Treaty Implementation Act included in the House passed NDAA:
- Modernizing our nuclear weapons and related infrastructure, as the President has pledged to do in a November 2010 report on nuclear modernization plans, and other statements.
- Limits funds for reductions of deployed weapons required by New START Treaty pending a joint certification by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy that the modernization plan is indeed proceeding.
- In the event modernization is not proceeding, it requires a six month freeze on funds. Treaty implementation is thus linked to progress in nuclear weapons modernization, but the provision is carefully crafted to avoid treaty default.
- Prohibits further unilateral reductions of deployed and non-deployed nuclear weapons below New START Treaty levels:
- Prohibits the executive branch from making unilateral reductions to the non-deployed hedge stockpile until the full functionality (in the 2024 time frame) of the new plutonium and uranium facilities (CMRR-NF, UPF)—dates and criteria previously laid out in the administration’s own May 2010 report on the Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan and in more recent testimony.
- Amends the U.S. Code to prevent the executive branch from unilaterally reducing U.S. deployed or non-deployed nuclear weapons, except as otherwise and specifically provided by law—by a future treaty or Act of Congress.
- Expresses concern about the administration’s stated plans to modify U.S. deterrence requirements and nuclear strategy merely for the purpose of justifying further arms control reductions.
- Requires the President to notify Congress before implementing any changes to nuclear strategy, to certify that the U.S. will not adopt a counter-value targeting strategy and that the triad will be preserved (consistent with section 1058 of the House-passed FY11 NDAA), and to wait 90 days after the congressional notification.
- Preserving U.S. freedom of action with respect to missile defense by amending the U.S. Code to prohibit any international agreements limiting U.S. missile defense capabilities except with specific authorization—by a new treaty or Act of Congress.
- Sustaining our extended deterrent for NATO by counseling against unilateral reduction, consolidation, withdrawal of our non-strategic nuclear weapons in Europe, without either host nation request or NATO High Level Group request and certain other conditions.
- Codification of the “1251 Report” from the FY2010 NDAA on modernization of the nuclear stockpile, delivery systems, infrastructure.
Legislation Contains Multiple Provisions Key to WPAFB and Southwest Ohio
Congressman Mike Turner successfully included several provisions in the House passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today which will have a far reaching impact on Southwest Ohio and Wright-Patterson AFB if approved by the Senate and signed into law by the President. Turner’s amendments to the annual Defense Department bill include provisions which enhance leadership at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), meeting the airspace needs for Unmanned Aerial Systems, and halts the transfer of jobs related to the Enterprise Logistics System Program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
AFIT Leadership
“AFIT must have military leadership in order to maintain preeminence and relevance in the years ahead. This language and my legislation would provide that top level military leadership while simultaneously ensuring educational continuity by establishing a SES level Provost position. Furthermore this proposal is consistent with Secretary Gates’ goal of reducing the number of flag officers in our armed forces,” said Turner.
Turner’s language included in the House reported bill on May 11th is identical to legislation that he and Sen. Rob Portman (OH) introduced on May 25th. Their bills closely mirror the leadership structure at the U.S. Navy operated Post Graduate School. The proposal allows for the Secretary of the Air Force to fill the top slot at AFIT with either an active duty Colonel or a retired Brigadier General or higher. This would ensure the AFIT retains the attention of top level leadership while providing the Secretary of the Air Force discretion as to filling the position with active duty or retired personnel. The Naval Post Graduate School is currently led by a Navy Vice Admiral, the Air Force equivalent of a Lieutenant General.
The language also creates a SES level Provost position to prevent against any disruptions in academic and institutional affairs that can be generated from regular changes in leadership. These options would ensure continuity in the Institute’s approach towards educating our nation’s military leaders while adhering to Secretary Gate’s proposal to eliminate the number of flag officers in our military.
AFRL Hiring Authority
“With my provision included in committee, and now passed by the House, laboratories would have the edge to stay competitive with the commercial market and bring talented personnel into Department of Defense. Our nation’s Defense Laboratories are experiencing both a critical hiring need and a severe shortage of engineers and scientists with advanced degree. This is something which could affect the future needs of the Air Force Research Lab,” said Turner.
Specifically, Turner’s language included via an amendment while the NDAA was being considered by the full House Armed Services Committee eliminates the sunset provision of the Defense Laboratory hiring authority which he had placed in the FY09 NDAA. The expedited hire authority provided under Section 1108 applies to scientific and engineering positions which require an advanced degree.
The provision allows AFRL to waive some advertising and preference requirements, but maintains the requirement that the applicant meet all relevant qualifications. Since the enactment of the legislation, AFRL and the other defense laboratories have been able to reduce the hiring time by weeks and has become a critical tool of AFRL personnel management to hire the best scientific talent. A recent Defense Department report showed that “direct hire” generally cut the number of days it took to hire an applicant from 147 to 91.
Meeting Airspace Needs for Defense-Related UAS Research
“This House passed bill allows the AFRL to play a role in the decisions on Unmanned Aerial Systems testing needs. These are experts who have pioneered the expanding field on unmanned flight. Ohio, the birthplace of flight will continue that tradition through AFRL which will play a key role in integrating UAS into the National Airspace System,” noted Turner.
After Turner had included this same provision in the FY 09 NDAA, the House Armed Services Committee voted to include it once again. The committee noted that the availability of special use airspace is important to research related to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the needs of our national defense. The proliferation of technology enabling the use of UAS represents a clear future threat to national security; however, lack of special use airspace to research detection techniques is a potential impediment to the nation’s ability to counter this emerging threat.
The committee encouraged discussions between the Air Force Research Laboratory to explore ways for the FAA and the Department of Defense to work together on problems related to integrating UAS into the National Airspace System. The approved bill with Turner’s language urges the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration to place a high priority on meeting national defense needs for special use airspace related to UAS research, including addressing defense needs for special use airspace for research in “detect and destroy” technologies.
Halting the Transfer of Jobs from Wright-Patt
“Prior to the consolidation of this program, Congress must have a full understanding about the costs associated with this move. Taxpayer dollars can’t be spent without justification or precise calculation. Prior to the announcement of this decision Congress was given no explanation as to why this move is essential to our warfighters, and if it is cost efficient for our citizens,” said Turner.
With the support of 300 fellow members, the House adopted Turner’s amendment to the NDAA which would halt funding for the consolidation of the Enterprise Logistics System Program pending a report to Congress. The report would be a cost-benefit analysis of the consolidation performed by the Air Force, which then must be approved by the House Armed Services Committee.
Turner’s amendment follows the release of a widely distributed email by Brigadier General Kenneth Moran which indicated that the Air Force will consolidate the Enterprise Logistics portfolio, which is managed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with the Enterprise Information Systems portfolio, which is managed at Gunter Annex, Alabama. General Moran heads the Enterprise Logistics System Directorate at Wright-Patterson.
Inclusion Places Small Businesses in Clinton at an Advantage for Federal Procurement Opportunities
Congressman Mike Turner announced that Clinton County has received the designation as a Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) in the Small Business Administration’s program. This initiative helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities.
“Clinton County is home to a strong number of skilled workers and small businesses. Now they’ll have an advantage in securing federal contracts at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside Dayton, the Department of Energy (Nuclear Cleanup) in Cincinnati, as well as a number of other federal offices throughout the region and nation,” said Turner.
These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone certification in part by employing staff who live in HUBZones. The company must also maintain a “principal office” in one of these specially designated areas.
“This designation places our local small businesses and their employees in a better position to expand operations and potentially hire more workers as a result of their contracts with the federal government. I look forward to seeing that growth in the years to come,” added Turner.
U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Congressman Mike Turner, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced legislation today to ensure the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) remains the premier institute for defense-focused, graduate-level education. The measure would permanently require AFIT’s top post to be held by an active or retired military officer. The Air Force is considering downgrading it to a civilian position, which would significantly diminish AFIT’s stature and ability to retain top level leadership.
“Having a military officer at the helm is critical to ensuring that AFIT remains a world class institution for advanced studies on defense related engineering and management as well technical professional continuing education,” said Portman. “AFIT has awarded thousands of degrees for more than 50 years to students who have made great contributions to America’s air and space forces. This proposal will strengthen the Institution’s future by enabling it to attract top notch leadership and students, who will fulfill its mission to advance air, space, and cyberspace power for the nation.”
“AFIT must have military leadership in order to maintain preeminence and relevance in the years ahead. This legislation would provide that top level military leadership while simultaneously ensuring educational continuity by establishing an SES level Provost position. Furthermore this proposal is consistent with Secretary Gates’ goal of reducing the number of flag officers in our armed forces,” said Turner.
The legislation, which would ensure AFIT is run in a manner consistent to the way the Naval Postgraduate School is run, would allow the Secretary of the Air Force to fill the top post with either an active duty Colonel, or a retired Brigadier General or higher. The language also creates an SES level Provost position to prevent against any disruptions in academic and institutional affairs that can be generated from regular changes in leadership. These options would ensure continuity in the Institute’s approach towards educating our nation’s military leaders while adhering to Secretary Gates’ proposal to eliminate the number of flag officers in our military.
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