Saturday, June 20, 2015
First Lady Michelle Obama: 'This Father’s Day, I Hope All Americans Will Join Me in This Effort'
The following op-ed by First Lady Michelle Obama appeared in
McClatchy Newspapers.
First Lady Michelle Obama: Banding Together To Serve US Military Dads
Two
days before Father’s Day, I visited U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza, our
military installation in northern Italy that is home to thousands of
American service
members and their families. For most Americans, the fathers and
families who serve here probably aren’t very well known. Their
incredible service often just doesn’t make it onto our radar.
So
often, when we think of our men and women in uniform, we think of
troops serving in a combat zone; families living on bases in California,
Texas or North
Carolina; or maybe a friend or neighbor who serves in the National
Guard or Reserves.
But
the fact is that we’ve got tens of thousands of military families
stationed overseas in places like Germany, Korea and Japan. So this
fall, thousands of
military kids will start the school year on another continent, just
hoping to make a few friends. Thousands of military spouses will put
their careers on hold to move halfway around the world, worrying about
whether they can keep their skills current for the
job hunt when they return home.
For
these families, being stationed overseas means they have to learn new
customs and languages, and find their way around new parts of the world.
For those
at Vicenza, daily tasks like picking up supplies in town, taking a bus
or planning a family outing can be a lot more complicated than they are
back home. When a child has a fever or takes a fall, they have to speak
to the doctor through a translator at the
emergency room. When something happens back in America – a wedding, a
funeral, a medical crisis – it takes a lot of time and money to get back
to their families.
On
top of all the usual challenges of leaving home and adjusting to a new
culture, our troops in these places can be called at any moment to
respond to threats
or crises, often with just a few hours of lead time. And when that
happens, their families serve right alongside them. Yet they never
complain or ask for any special favors. They endure the stress of those
deployments with courage and grace, celebrating milestones,
birthdays and holidays with an empty place at the table.
That
was certainly the case in Vicenza where, just a few days before I
arrived, many of the troops had recently deployed to Eastern Europe for
three or four
months. So Sunday, on a day when families across the country are
spending time with Dad – cooking him his favorite meal, writing notes in
those construction-paper cards, maybe getting together with Grandpa,
too – many of the kids at Vicenza will be thousands
of miles away from their dads.
We
did our best to make their Father’s Day weekend special, teaming up
with USO, Disney, Blue Star Families, Operation Shower and Glam4Good to
hold a barbeque,
give new books to kids on base and surprise expecting mothers with
gifts for them and their babies.
But
supporting our military families simply cannot be just a one-day event.
We need to serve these families every day, all year round. That’s why,
four years
ago, Dr. Jill Biden and I started Joining Forces, a nationwide effort
to rally all Americans to honor and support our veterans, troops and
their families.
And
on this Father’s Day weekend, I want to challenge all Americans to ask
themselves what they can do for our military families, especially those
stationed
overseas. You can start by going to JoiningForces.gov or reaching out to organizations like USO and Blue Star Families that support our military families.
These
families have given us so much – even if we don’t always see their
service and sacrifice on TV or in the news. That’s why, as first lady,
I’m working
as hard as I can to honor their commitment and dedication to this
country. It’s why I intend to keep serving these families long after my
time as first lady ends. And it’s why I’m going to ensure that whoever
follows our family into the White House continues
to honor these incredible families – not just with words, but with real
action that makes a difference in their lives.
So,
this Father’s Day, I hope all Americans will join me in this effort –
because together, we can serve our military families as well as they
have served us.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Defense Department Briefing: Marine Corps Brigadier General Thomas Weidley
Marine Corps Brigadier General Thomas Weidley briefed reporters on
operations against the ISIS* and the threats the militant group poses to
Iraq, Syria, and the region.
* The Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL), is a militant group that has called itself the Islamic State.
State Department 2014 Terrorism Report
Tina Kaidanow, Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism, briefed reporters and answered questions on the release of the State Department’s annual terrorism report.
Washington Journal: Clarence Page
Clarence Page talked about the implications of the shooting at the
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South
Carolina, the controversy over former Washington State NAACP official
Rachel Dolezal, and the 2016 Democratic primary field.
Prayer Vigil for Charleston Church Shooting Victims
Members of Congress held a prayer vigil for the victims of the shooting
at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South
Carolina. Nine people were killed.
Source: C-Span
Senate Majority Leader McConnell on Charleston Church Shooting
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke on the Senate floor
about the shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in
Charleston, South Carolina, in which nine people were killed.
Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference
Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX),
and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) are among the speakers
at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority conference in
Washington, D.C.
Source: C-Span
"Flashback Friday": Ross Perot in 1992 on NAFTA and the "Giant Sucking Sound"
In the 1992 Presidential Debates, the participants were William
Jefferson Clinton, George Herbert Walker Bush, and H. Ross Perot, the
third party (Reform) candidate.
The FCC Fines AT&T $100 Million For Unlimited Data Plan
The commission is accusing the cell phone giant of slowing down internet access for certain customers.
Jessica Alba Urges Congress to Strengthen Laws on Chemicals Present in Everyday Products
The actress and business owner took to Capitol Hill to urge chemical law reform.
Charleston Church Shooting Leaves Jon Stewart Jokeless
Jon Stewart apologized to his audience tonight for not having any jokes
for them, as he just dropped the comedy to get serious about Charleston.
He said, “I honestly have nothing, other than just sadness.”
Thursday, June 18, 2015
President Obama Praises Pope for Position on Climate Change
Statement by the President on Pope Francis’s Encyclical
I
welcome His Holiness Pope Francis's encyclical, and deeply admire the
Pope's decision to make the case - clearly, powerfully, and with the
full
moral authority of his position - for action on global climate change.
As Pope Francis so eloquently stated this morning, we have a profound responsibility to protect our children, and our children's children, from the damaging impacts of climate change. I believe the United States must be a leader in this effort, which is why I am committed to taking bold actions at home and abroad to cut carbon pollution, to increase clean energy and energy efficiency, to build resilience in vulnerable communities, and to encourage responsible stewardship of our natural resources. We must also protect the world's poor, who have done the least to contribute to this looming crisis and stand to lose the most if we fail to avert it.
I look forward to discussing these issues with Pope Francis when he visits the White House in September. And as we prepare for global climate negotiations in Paris this December, it is my hope that all world leaders--and all God's children--will reflect on Pope Francis's call to come together to care for our common home.
The Bidens: 'We Will Never Forget Those Innocent Souls Who Lost Their Lives'
A woman prays outside Emanuel AME Church shortly after the attack. David Goldman/AP
Statement by Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden on the Shooting in Charleston, South Carolina
Hate
has once again been let loose in an American community. And the
senseless actions of a coward have once again cut short so many lives
with so much promise. Our hearts
ache with sorrow with the entire Emanuel AME Church family as they seek
solace and comfort in the shadow of a gunman’s act of pure evil and
hatred. Our love and prayers are with them.
We
last saw Reverend Clementa Pinckney less than a year ago at a prayer
breakfast in Columbia. He was a good man, a man of faith, a man of
service who carried forward Mother
Emaunel’s legacy as a sacred place promoting freedom, equality, and
justice for all. We pray for him and his sister as we do for the seven
other innocent souls who entered that storied church for their weekly
Bible study seeking nothing more than humble guidance
for the full lives ahead of them.
We
have no doubt the coward who committed this heinous act will be brought
to justice. But as a nation we must confront the ravages of gun
violence and the stain of hatred
that continues to be visited on our streets, in our schools, in our
houses of worship, and in our communities.
As
Mayor Riley made clear, all of Charleston’s heart bleeds today—but the
overwhelming display of unity will bring forth the city’s healing. We
will never forget those innocent
souls who lost their lives. We will be there with all the strength and
support and prayers we can offer to the families who now grieve. And as a
nation we will come together.
Charleston Church Shooting: Suspect Dylann Roof Captured
Police have apprehended the suspected gunman who killed nine people at an historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina.
Dylann Roof, 21, was caught Thursday following
the deadly shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on
Wednesday night, according to sources.
Before the shooting spree, he asked for the church's pastor, the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, and sat among parishoners during a Bible study meeting, a survivor later told one of Pinckney's cousins.
He then opened fire on the gathering.
Visit the NBC News website for updates on this breaking story.
Source: NBC News
Charleston Shooting Suspect Identified by FBI as Dylann Roof, 21
The alleged gunman police say is responsible for killing nine people in a
Charleston, South Carolina, church Wednesday night has been identified
as Dylann Roof, 21, FBI sources say.
Charleston police also identified Roof, of Lexington, South Carolina, as the suspect.
The suspect opened fire on a bible study group at the historic
predominantly black Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street, killing eight
people in an "unfathomable" act of violence. One other person was rushed
to the hospital and died. Police originally said two people were
hospitalized.
Police said the alleged gunman, whom the mayor called a "horrible
scoundrel," was inside the church attending the prayer meeting with
worshipers for almost an hour.
Visit the ABC News website for updates on this story.
Source: ABC News
Sharpton: '“I Am Shocked and Outraged About the Killing...'
Statement by the Rev. Al Sharpton on the Killing of Nine People at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC
NEW YORK – Rev. Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network (NAN), released the following
statement on the shooting death of nine people at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina:
“I
am shocked and outraged about the killing of nine innocent people
at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston,
South Carolina. What has our society come to when people in a prayer
meeting in the sacred halls of a church can be shot in what is deemed s
possible hate crime?
“The
Pastor of the church, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, worked closely with
our National Action
Network Chapter leader and our Vice President of Religious Affairs,
Rev. Nelson Rivers. It is chilling to me that just over two months ago
while I was in North Charleston over the police shooting of Walter
Scott, I’m reminded that Rev. Pinckney was among the
clergy who stood with me at that occasion and now he has fallen victim
to senseless violence.
“We must do what we can to apprehend the killer and we must support the families involved in this
tragedy. Demagoguery, increasing tension, and talk of violence will only make a mockery of what we face.”
Politics in Action: S. 1558
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
S. 1558 – Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016
(Sen. Cochran, R-MS)
The
Administration strongly opposes Senate passage of S. 1558, making
appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2016,
and for other purposes. The Administration supports investments
essential to execute the President's national security and defense
strategies, and appreciates the Committee's recognition that increased
resources are needed for national defense. However, the bill
drastically underfunds critical investments in DOD's base budget and
instead uses Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding for base
requirements in ways that leaders in both parties have made clear are
inappropriate. Base budget sequestration levels will damage our ability
to restore readiness, advance badly-needed technological modernization,
and keep faith with our troops and their families. Meanwhile, shifting
base budget resources into OCO risks undermining a mechanism meant to
fund incremental costs of overseas conflicts and fails to provide a
stable, multi-year budget on which defense planning and fiscal policy
are based. The use of OCO funding to circumvent budget caps in defense
spending also ignores the long-term connection between national security
and economic security and fails to account for vital national security
functions carried out at non-defense agencies.
In
addition, the bill fails to support many of the needed force structure
and weapons system reforms included in the President's Budget, and
undermines a new Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round that would
allow DOD to properly align the military's infrastructure with the needs
of its evolving force. The President's defense strategy depends on
investing every dollar where it will have the greatest effect, which the
Administration's fiscal year (FY) 2016 proposals will accomplish
through critical reforms that divest unneeded force structure, slow
growth in compensation, and reduce wasteful overhead. The Committee's
changes would constrain the ability of DOD to align military capability
and force structure with the President's defense strategy, and would
require the Department to retain unnecessary force structure and weapons
systems that cannot be adequately resourced in today's fiscal
environment, contributing to a military that will be less capable of
responding effectively to future challenges. The bill also includes
unwarranted restrictions regarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay. If the President were presented with S.1558, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.
Enacting
S. 1558, while adhering to the congressional Republican budget's
overall spending limits for FY 2016, would hurt our economy and
shortchange investments in middle-class priorities. Sequestration was
never intended to take effect: rather, it was supposed to threaten such
drastic cuts to both defense and non-defense funding that policymakers
would be motivated to come to the table and reduce the deficit through
smart, balanced reforms. The Republican framework would bring base
discretionary funding for both non-defense and defense to the lowest
real levels in a decade. Compared to the President's Budget, the cuts
would result in tens of thousands of the Nation's most vulnerable
children losing access to Head Start, more than two million fewer
workers receiving job training and employment services, and thousands
fewer scientific and medical research awards and grants, adversely
impacting the pace of discovery and innovation, along with other impacts
that would hurt the economy, the middle class, and Americans working
hard to reach the middle class.
Sequestration
funding levels would also put our national security at unnecessary
risk, not only through pressures on defense spending, but also through
pressures on State, USAID, Homeland Security, and other non-defense
programs that help keep us safe. More broadly, the strength of the
economy and the security of the Nation are linked. That is why the
President has been clear that he is not willing to lock in sequestration
going forward, nor will he accept fixes to defense without also fixing
non-defense.
The
President's senior advisors would recommend that he veto S. 1558 and
any other legislation that implements the current Republican budget
framework, which blocks the investments needed for our economy to
compete in the future.
The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress to
reverse sequestration for defense and non-defense priorities and offset
the cost with commonsense spending and tax expenditure cuts, as Members
of Congress from both parties have urged.
The Administration would like to take this opportunity to share additional views regarding the Committee's version of the bill.
Department of Defense
Sequestration and Misuse of OCO Funds. The
Administration strongly objects to the sequestration-level for the
appropriations in the bill for items that were requested in and belong
in the base budget, as well as the use of OCO—a funding mechanism
intended to pay for wars and not subject to the budget caps—to pay for
$36 billion in base requirements. Sequestration adds risk to our
national security by threatening the size, readiness, presence, and
capability of our military, and threatens the economic security on which
our national security depends. The Committee clearly recognizes that
increased investment in defense is needed, but proposes to fund it by
circumventing instead of increasing the budget caps. This approach
fails to provide the stable, multi-year budget on which defense planning
is based; undermines a mechanism meant to fund incremental costs of
overseas conflicts; locks in unacceptable funding cuts for national
security activities at non-defense agencies such as the Departments of
State, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs; and weakens national
security by undermining the Nation's economic security.
Guantanamo Detainee Restrictions. The
Administration strongly objects to sections 8100, 8101, and 8102 of the
bill, which would restrict the Executive Branch's ability to manage the
detainee population at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detention facility.
Sections 8100 and 8101 would prohibit the use of funds for the transfer
of detainees to the United States and for the construction, acquisition,
or modification of any facility to house Guantanamo detainees in the
United States, except in accordance with the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (NDAA for FY 2016). Section 8102
would restrict detainee transfers abroad in accordance with the NDAA
for FY 2016. The President has repeatedly objected to the inclusion of
these and similar provisions in prior legislation and has called upon
the Congress to lift the restrictions. Operating the detention facility
at Guantanamo weakens our national security by draining resources,
damaging our relationships
with key allies and partners, and emboldening violent extremists.
These provisions are unwarranted and threaten to interfere with the
Executive Branch's ability to determine the appropriate disposition of
detainees and its flexibility to determine when and where to prosecute
Guantanamo detainees based on the facts and circumstances of each case
and our national security interests. Sections 8100 and 8102 would,
moreover, violate constitutional separation-of-powers principles in
certain circumstances.
Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC). The
Administration looks forward to working with the Congress and MCRMC to
improve our military compensation and retirement systems, and encourages
the Congress to support the additional recommendations for which the
Administration has transmitted legislation. The Administration strongly
supports enacting a Blended Retirement System, which would ensure that
85 percent of servicemembers receive Government contributions toward
their retirement—compared to fewer than 20 percent under the current
system, provide DOD with better tools to recruit and retain the
All-Volunteer Force, and produce significant savings over the long term.
The Administration looks forward to continuing to work with the
Congress and MCRMC on other provisions, to meet our solemn
responsibility to ensure that any changes protect the long-term
viability of the All-Volunteer Force, improve quality-of-life for
servicemembers and their families, and safeguard the fiscal
sustainability of the military compensation and retirement systems.
Compensation Reform. The
FY 2016 Budget request provides the funding and common-sense reforms
that will ensure that servicemembers receive competitive pay and
benefits and critical training and equipment. These proposals would
save $1.7 billion in FY 2016 and $18 billion through FY 2020. The
Administration appreciates the Senate's support of DOD's efforts to slow
the growth of basic pay and housing allowances and strongly encourages
members of the Congress to support all of DOD's requested compensation
reforms.
Prohibition on Conducting Additional Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Round. The
Administration strongly objects to the proposed $10.5 million reduction
to funds that would support a 2017 BRAC round. This reduction would
impair the ability of the Executive Branch to plan for contingencies or
make other needed adjustments that would improve military effectiveness
and efficiency. The Administration strongly urges the Congress to
provide the BRAC authorization as requested, which would allow DOD to
right-size its infrastructure while providing important assistance to
affected communities, freeing resources currently consumed by
maintaining unneeded facilities. In the absence of authorization of a
new round of BRAC, the Administration will pursue alternative options to
reduce this wasteful spending and ensure that DOD's limited resources
are available for the highest priorities of the warfighter and national
security.
A-10 Aircraft. The
Administration objects to the additional $467 million for unneeded A-10
aircraft, which is inconsistent with DOD's fiscal constraints and
current priorities. Funding the A-10 above the requested amount puts at
risk the future health of the Air Force fighter enterprise and $4.7
billion in savings through FY 2019. DOD needs to focus its resources on
the Joint Strike Fighter and other multi-mission aircraft, which will
replace the A-10's singular mission of close air support while also
providing other critical capabilities.
Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI).
The Administration strongly objects to section 8106 of the bill, which
limits the transfer of AH-64 Apache helicopters to 36 until 60 days
after the release of the National Commission of the Future of the Army
report. This delay in transfers would negatively affect the Army's
readiness and ability to prepare and deploy forces for ongoing
operations. The FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
established limitations on the ARI, but provided for the transfer of
certain numbers of aircraft in time for congressional review of the
report of the Commission on the Future of the Army before transfer of
additional aircraft. Delaying the transfer until the passage of the FY
2016 NDAA would damage the readiness of Army units in the 1st Infantry
Division whose 24 AH-64s must transfer in October 2015, the 25th
Infantry Division whose 24 AH-64s must transfer in February 2016, and
the 10th Mountain Division whose 24 AH-64s must transfer in June 2016.
The remaining combat aviation brigades would bear the rotational burden
of meeting current and projected operational requirements around the
world, and would be forced to increase operational tempo and
deploy-to-dwell ratios for these low-density, high demand units. The
National Guard Bureau has developed a plan for the transfer of the first
48 AH-64 Apaches as well as a plan to receive the first 20 UH-60
Blackhawks. DOD's plan for the transfer of select numbers of aircraft
between the components in FY 2016 is in compliance with the FY 2015 NDAA
and is the same as the number of Apache aircraft (72) that the National
Guard Bureau agreed to transfer in its aviation proposal. These new
limitations also would likely lead to a significant reduction of AH-64D
inductions into the AH-64E remanufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona and
affect supporting activities in Huntsville, Alabama, and elsewhere.
The Administration urges the Congress to permit the transfer of 72
Apache aircraft in FY 2016.
Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund (CTPF).
The Administration strongly objects to the reduction of $1.1 billion of
CTPF and the limitations imposed on the Fund, which would severely
restrict the flexibility and resources required to empower and enable
partners in responding to shared terrorist threats around the world.
For the CTPF to build partner capacity effectively, funds need to remain
available for two years in order to support the acquisition of
long-lead equipment some partner nations require. Without the needed
resources and multi-year flexibility, the important security assistance
programs begun in FY 2015 would be in jeopardy. The Administration
strongly encourages the Congress to appropriate the $2.1 billion
originally requested and remove unnecessary limitations to continue
support for CTPF activities in FY 2016.
Rocket Engine Development. The
Administration strongly objects to the $144 million in unrequested and
unnecessary funding for a new Government-developed rocket engine. The
Administration is committed to transitioning from non-allied engines;
however, an engine-centric approach as provided for in this bill would
not preserve the Nation's assured access to space. While rocket engines
are a major component of a launch vehicle, they are only one of many
critical components. Developing a rocket propulsion system independent
of the rest of the space launch system risks the Government investing
hundreds of millions of dollars without ensuring the availability of
operational launch systems. Sound systems engineering principles and
over a half-century of launch vehicle design work demonstrate that a
rocket propulsion system must be developed in conjunction with the rest
of the space launch vehicle. This unnecessary funding comes at the
expense of more important programs, and would create ripple effects
across the rest of the budget.
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. The
Administration strongly objects to the elimination of all funding for
the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)-20 and its launch.
By 2017, only one DMSP satellite will be within its design life. DOD
has certified that this fully-built and recently-refurbished satellite
is a cost-effective solution to the expected shortfall in polar-orbiting
weather satellites, which the Government Accountability Office has
chronicled in its High Risk List. Because weather satellite data are
shared among defense, intelligence, civil, and international users,
eliminating this satellite would have broad implications, including
reduced accuracy of weather prediction models and degraded efficiency of
surveillance and reconnaissance platforms.
Unrequested Funding. In
this fiscally constrained environment, the Administration strongly
objects to the billions of dollars provided for items that were not in
the FY 2016 Budget request, offset by reductions to higher priority
items that the military needs. Unrequested items include $828 million
for 10 extra Joint Strike Fighters (after assuming $409 million in
uncertain program savings), $1.1 billion to reverse planned savings
associated with compensation reform proposals, $1 billion of OCO funds
for National Guard and Reserve Equipment, $1 billion in incremental
funding for an Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) destroyer, $225 million to fund an
additional Joint High Speed Vessel, $250 million of Advance Procurement
funding for the Navy's amphibious warship replacement program, and $31
million to fund Operation Phalanx. The Administration has made
extensive efforts to assess, prioritize, and balance force capacity,
capability, and readiness. The FY 2016 Budget supports the defense
strategy and rebalances the Joint Force for the Nation's current and
future security challenges. The Administration also objects to section
8006 of the bill, which places spending on unrequested items into
statute.
Operation and Maintenance and Military Personnel Reductions.
The Administration objects to the billions of dollars of undistributed
reductions in the bill across the operation and maintenance and military
personnel accounts. The operation and maintenance reductions would be
applied to those programs that support readiness, depot maintenance,
base operations support, and facilities sustainment, restoration, and
modernization line items. These reductions would delay the Department's
full-spectrum readiness recovery efforts and increase the backlog of
maintenance at the military departments' depot facilities.
Defense Health Program.
The Administration strongly objects to the $786 million reduction in
Defense Health Program Operation and Maintenance funding. Military
medicine has had dramatic cost increases in FY 2015, and overall costs
are projected to rise. DOD has taken aggressive action, where possible,
to address these cost increases. However, ensuring the health of the
force and their families, along with upholding our commitment to
retirees will be increasingly difficult, absent sufficient funding at
the level established in the President's Budget request. Without
funding at the level requested, the Department will be forced to reduce
or eliminate needed medical support programs and initiatives.
Aircraft Carrier Replacement Program.
The Administration objects to the bill's $191.5 million reduction to
the Department of the Navy's Aircraft Carrier Replacement Program, ship
construction account. This funding reduction would present unacceptable
risk to CVN 80 being delivered on schedule and would result in a
significant increase to the ship's cost. With respect to previous
Ford-class aircraft carrier funding profiles, CVN 80 incorporates a
reduced advanced procurement funding profile thus exacerbating the
impact of the proposed funding reduction to this ship. A delay in
delivering CVN 80 would result in unacceptable risk in the Department of
the Navy's aircraft carrier force structure by causing a gap that
reduces the force level below congressionally mandated requirements.
Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mine Countermeasures Mission and Remote Minehunting System Packages.
The Administration objects to the proposed $104.5 million in reductions
to LCS Mission Module procurement, including LCS Mine Countermeasures
(MCM) Mission Package (MP), Remote Minehunting System (RMS), Shallow
Water MCM and LCS Common Mission Modules Equipment programs. These
reductions would leave the programs with insufficient funds to procure
needed MCM equipment in the quantity required to deploy LCS with MCM MPs
in FYs 2018-2020, resulting in a warfighting gap in the Middle East.
The Navy would be required to extend operations of aging MCM class ships
and MH-53 systems at additional operating and sustainment expense. All
testing will be completed prior to FY 2016 planned procurements. The
MCM MP reduction would also lead to increased unit costs in component
mission systems impacting multiple production lines. The Navy's
procurement profiles carefully balance risk to meet testing needs and
provide improved MCM capability to the Fleet.
MQ-4 Triton Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Administration objects to the reduction of
$152
million from the Triton program that reduces the low rate initial
production procurement by one aircraft in FY 2016 and associated
advanced procurement for two aircraft. In the FY 2016 President's
Budget request the quantity of aircraft was reduced for FY 2016 and FY
2017 from four to three aircraft for each year. Further reduction of
the quantities to two aircraft each year would increase the aircraft
cost by as much as 30 percent due to suboptimal economic order
quantities. In addition, this reduction would delay Triton Initial
operational capability.
Joint Urgent Operational Needs Fund (JUONF).
The Administration objects to the elimination of the base funding
request of $99.7 million. This funding is critical to the Department's
ability to quickly respond to urgent operational needs. Eliminating
these funds may directly lead to unnecessary risks to servicemembers and
their ability to accomplish critical missions.
Missile Defense Programs.
The Administration objects to the $149.3 million in total funding
reductions to ballistic missile defense programs. The Administration
opposes the $12.3 million reduction to the Command, Control, Battle
Management and Communications program, which is needed to meet the
President's European Phased Adaptive Approach Phase III, as well as the
$22.4 million reduction to the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense
(THAAD) program, which would negatively affect the warfighter by
delaying delivery of automated engagement coordination between THAAD and
Aegis by 12 months. The Administration also opposes the
Senate-proposed reduction of $63.8 million to missile defense technology
development programs and $50.8 million for Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Special Programs that are needed to ensure the United States stays
ahead of future ballistic missile threats. These reductions would
significantly harm MDA's ability to develop a mid-term discrimination
capability, directed energy programs and other classified activities
needed to defend friends and allies and address evolving threats against
the homeland.
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV).
The Administration appreciates the Committee's continued support of
meaningful launch competition. For example, section 8045 would improve
assured access to space and provide significant savings to the
taxpayer. However, the Administration objects to the rescission of $125
million that would eliminate a competitive launch opportunity in FY
2015. The Air Force is committed to increasing the number of
competitions and the request for proposal is planned for release in FY
2015. The Administration urges the Committee to support improving
assured access to space and allow this competition.
Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act).
The Administration appreciates the Committee's support for the DATA Act
by fully funding the FY 2016 Budget request for the Department of
Defense to implement the Act. This funding will support the
Department's efforts to provide more transparent Federal spending data,
such as updating information technology systems, changing business
processes, and employing a uniform procurement instrument identifier.
Classified Programs. The
Administration looks forward to providing its views on the adjustments
contained in the Classified Annex to the bill once it becomes available.
Additional Constitutional Concerns.
Several other provisions in the bill raise constitutional concerns.
For instance, section 8071 and language in title IX may interfere with
the President's authority as Commander in Chief and section 8009 could
interfere with the President's authority with regard to sensitive
national security information.
The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress as the FY 2016 appropriations process moves forward.
The Youth Unemployment Crisis
Sen. Bernie Sanders details his youth job bill which would employ hundreds of thousands of young Americans.
Clip created by MyC-SPAN user Josh Miller-Lewis
Candidates Head to Washington to Court Evangelical Activists
A number of Republican presidential candidates
will flock to Washington, D.C. over the next three days to court
religious and conservative activists gathered for the Faith and Freedom
Coalition.
The event is the latest in a series of GOP
candidate confabs that have taken place in 2015. A number have already
taken place in the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South
Carolina and Nevada. The most recent took place in Iowa earlier this
month where current and potential candidates like Marco Rubio, Scott
Walker, Rick Perry and Ben Carson tried to woo Hawkeye State voters at
Sen. Joni Ernst's "Roast and Ride."
Full article available here: http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/candidates-head-washington-court-conservative-christians-n377561
Ex-Boy Scout Admits Killing Former Troop Leader Who He Says Raped Him
By
Brian Thompson
An emotional day in court as a
former boy scout, who claimed his boy scout leader raped him many years ago,
pleaded guilty to stabbing that man to death. Brian Thompson reports.
The story was originally published Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015.
An emotional day in court as a former boy scout, who claimed his boy scout leader raped him many years ago, pleaded guilty to stabbing that man to death. Brian Thompson reports.
The story was originally published Wednesday, Jun 17, 2015.
Source: NBC News
U.S. to Pay Benefits to Vets Exposed to Agent Orange in C-123s
Ending years of wait, the government agreed
Thursday to provide millions of dollars in disability benefits to as
many as 2,100 Air Force reservists and active-duty forces exposed to
Agent Orange residue on airplanes used in the Vietnam War.
The new federal rule, approved by the White
House Office of Management and Budget, takes effect Friday. It adds to
an Agent Orange-related caseload that already makes up 1 out of 6
disability checks issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The expected cost over 10 years is $47.5 million, with separate health care coverage adding to the price tag.
"Opening up eligibility for this deserving group
of Air Force veterans and reservists is the right thing to do," VA
Secretary Bob McDonald said in a statement. He planned to announce the
decision in private meetings with veterans' organizations.
Full article available here: http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/us-pay-benefits-vets-exposed-agent-orange-c-123s-n377596
Source: NBC News
Record 59.5 Million People Displaced by Conflict Worldwide in 2014
The number of people displaced by war, violence, or persecution hit a record 59.5 million in 2014, the United Nations
said in a report published on Thursday, amid an ongoing row amongst EU
members on how to deal with an influx of migrants into Europe.
The figure, the highest ever recorded by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since it was established in 1950, represents a 16 percent rise from the 2013 overall number of 51.2 million.
Full article, photos and video available here: http://www.euronews.com/2015/06/17/a-record-59-5-million-people-displaced-by-conflict-worldwide-in-2014-un/
Source: Euronews
Bomb Blasts Rip Through Sanaa – ISIL Blamed
Four explosions rocked the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Wednesday killing at least 50 people.
Three car bombs targeted Mosques and a fourth struck a rebel headquarters.
ISIL militants claimed responsibility saying the attacks were in “revenge” against Shiite Houthi rebels who have overrun Sunni majority Sanaa.
Source: Euronews
'Assange Can Spend Rest of His Life in Our Embassy', says Ecuador President
Julian Assange
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange
has been holed up in Ecuador’s London embassy for nearly three years
under threat of extradition. Swedish prosecutors wish to question him
about allegations of sexual assault, although he has never been charged.
In an interview with euronews, Ecuador’s president Rafael Correa
said that Assange would always be welcome in the embassy, for the rest
of his life in necessary. He added that the solution lies with the UK
government, and called on them to grant him immunity adding, “If we had a
European refugee in a European embassy in Quito, if we were to keep him
three years without letting him stay, we would be called dictators,
fascists. We would be brought in front of the International Criminal
Court.”
It comes as a Swedish prosecutor cancelled an appointment to
interview Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in the British capital on
Wednesday, a move which Assange described as reckless. Prosecutor
Mariane Ny said she had not received permission to enter the embassy.
Speaking to euronews earlier on, Correa said that Sweden could have acted sooner to resolve the issue.
Full article and video available here: http://www.euronews.com/2015/06/18/assange-can-spend-the-rest-of-his-life-in-our-embassy-in-london-ecuador/
Source: Euronews
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
White House Press Briefing
White House Spokesman Josh Earnest briefs reporters and answers their
questions on a variety of topics, including an upcoming second House
vote on Trade Adjustment Assistance legislation and a promised veto
threat on the Defense Authorization bill.
Attorney General Lynch Investiture Ceremony
President Obama delivered remarks at a formal investiture ceremony for Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
U.S. House Debate on Troop Withdrawal from Iraq and Syria
The House debates and votes down 288-139 a resolution requiring U.S.
troops to withdraw from Iraq and Syria in the absence of a congressional
vote on an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF)
resolution against ISIS.
Source: C-Span
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