Defense
Current and Upcoming Defense Issues
Investing in Future Technologies
I plan to continue to support the ongoing modernization of the ICBMs. There are currently 10 different modernization plans for the 150 Minuteman III ICBMs at Malmstrom. I've supported efforts to speed up some of these programs in order to keep the base's mission strong and secure.
Fighting for the Montana National Guard
I’m fighting for everything from improved pay for the troops to helping the Guard obtain the best equipment possible. I co-sponsored The National Guard Empowerment Act, passed along with this year’s Defense Authorization bill, which establishes a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and expands the role of the NG Bureau in facilitating and coordinating the use of Guard personnel and resources for contingency operations, military operations other than war, natural disasters, and support of civil authorities.
Keeping the Air Guard in the Air
My efforts are focused on supporting Montana's Air National Guard’s transition from a F-16 to a F-15 mission, as well as attracting the next generation of fighter jets—like the F-22 or the F-35—to the state. I’ve met repeatedly with top Air Force officials to highlight all the great assets the Montana Air National Guard offers the Air Force. My advocacy on behalf of the Montana Air National Guard has helped land Great Falls on the Air Force’s Road map of future site for F-22s and F-35s—which shows that the future of the Montana Air National Guard’s mission is secure.
Caring for Our Wounded Warriors
I was outraged by the mistreatment of our national heroes at the Walter Reed medical center. That’s why I co-sponsored the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act of 2007, which requires that recovering service members be quartered in facilities of the highest service standard and provides for semiannual inspections. The bill also increases training and support services for veterans care workers. I’m keeping my eye on Walter Reed and other medical facilities to ensure that our service men and women receive the only the best medical care.
Current and Upcoming Homeland Security Issues
Funding the Great Falls and Marine Operations Airbase
I'm happy to see that the Department of Homeland Security Air and Marine Operations Airbase is successfully up and running in Great Falls. I was proud when the Appropriations Conference Committee approved my request for $18.3 million to get our airbase operational one year earlier than the Department of Homeland Security had planned.
Securing the Northern Border
Protecting our borders must come first. Montana has a 560 mile border with Canada. We must make sure that that border is secure. I have repeatedly supported increases in Border Patrol funding which would put more agents on our border. In fact, in a hearing last year on trade and customs I grilled the Customs and Border Protection Commissioner as to why he had not properly staffed the Northern border with security personnel. I was pleased to see a recent GAO report showed a significant increase in security personnel along the Northern border. The southern border is also a significant concern, and that’s why I voted for a fence to protect some of our most vulnerable areas.
Here is a quick look at the many areas in which I’m working to help make Montana and the United States secure from terrorism:
- I fought to make sure that our rural airports are as safe as our urban ones and placed a provision in the Port Security Act requiring the Transportation Security Administration to provide a security plan, including a variety of increased security measures, for all Essential Air Service airports which includes airports in Lewistown, Havre, Wolf Point, Miles City, Glasgow, Sidney, and Davis County
- Senator Tester and I continue to fight against the REAL ID Act and I have co-sponsored legislation that would repeal the act and help improve state Driver’s licenses without imposing a large unfunded mandate or invade individuals’ privacy.
- I co-sponsored the Justice for Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act which expanded the rights of victims of state-sponsored terrorism by denying foreign states that support terrorism immunity from the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.
- I voted in favor of the Senate’s Aviation Security Bill, which aims to increase safety in Montana and America’s airports, give airports funding flexibility, and strengthens the economy by encouraging people to resume air travel.
- I strongly supported legislation to strengthen security in American nuclear laboratories to prevent espionage and terrorist attacks.
We’re going to have to keep careful watch over all Homeland Security dollars over the next couple of years to make sure Montana gets the security improvements that we need most.
www.dhs.gov (Dept of Homeland Security)
http://dma.mt.gov/DES/default.asp (MT Disaster and Emergency Services)
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