Defense Dept.

Two Military Officials Plead Guilty to Bribery, Fraud and Conspiracy Related to Defense Contracts in Afghanistan; Third Military Official Pleads Guilty to Receiving Stolen Property

June 19, 2009 -- Four Contractors and Four Contracting Companies Also Charged with Related Crimes

Two U.S. military officials pleaded guilty to various bribery, fraud and conspiracy charges relating to Department of Defense (DOD) contracts in Afghanistan. A third military official pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, which was obtained through the bribery conspiracy. In addition, four DOD contractors and four affiliated contracting companies were indicted for their roles in paying bribes to the military officials and otherwise defrauding the United States.    » read more »

Provision Now Goes to President; Would Provide Payments to Service Members Held Beyond Enlistment Between 2001-2008

June 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate yesterday approved a spending bill which includes $534.4 million to pay retroactive bonuses for troops affected by “stop loss,” a policy which involuntarily extends military service beyond an enlistment contract, between 2001 and 2008.

The funding for the retroactive bonuses was included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act, which a key conference committee Lautenberg served on passed last week and the House of Representatives passed earlier his week. The bill will now be sent to President Obama for his signature.    » read more »

AMARILLO, Texas, June 15, 2009 – The Bell Boeing Program Office announced today that it has been awarded Phase 1.5 of a two-phase Joint Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to support the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft for the Marine Corps (MV-22), and Air Force Special Operations Command (CV-22).    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Joseph Westphal, Under Secretary of the Army, Department of Defense; Robert V. Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; Sam D. Hamilton, Director, Office of Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; Deborah A. P. Hersman, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board; Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr., Commissioner, Federal Maritime Commission; and Harry Hoglander, Re-nominated to serve as Board Member, National Mediation Board.    » read more »

Murray, Defense Secretary Gates Continue to Oppose Tanker Dual-Buy

June 9, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) questioned Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen on the Department of Defense’s plan for a fair and transparent competition for aerial refueling tankers. Murray’s questioning took place at a Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the Department of Defense’s 2010 Budget.    » read more »

Senator Presses Defense Officials on F/A-18 & Next-Generation Bomber

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Upholding his promise at a recent rally in St. Louis to fight until his last day in the U.S. Senate for Missouri workers, Senator Kit Bond today pressed Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to increase funding for the F/A-18 Super Hornet and reverse the cancellation of the Next Generation Bomber during an appropriations subcommittee hearing on defense issues.    » read more »

6/5/2009 -- Fayetteville -- North Carolina Governor Bev. Perdue and the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) today announced that Department of Defense spending in North Carolina grew by 22 percent and exceeded $3.6 billion in federal fiscal year 2008 – an increase of $657 million from 2007 data.

“These numbers are yet another indicator that the Tar Heel state is becoming a very significant player in the global military and defense industry cluster,” said Gov. Perdue. “The time to capitalize on this trend is now, to leverage expanding markets, capture federal revenues and grow jobs right here in North Carolina – the most military friendly state in America.”    » read more »

May 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Gordon Heddell, Inspector General, Department of Defense; Ellen Murray, Assistant Secretary for Resources and Technology, Department of Health and Human Services; Polly Trottenberg, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, Department of Transportation; and James J. Markowsky, Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Department of Energy.    » read more »

"Shaheen and Shea-Porter repeatedly urged the suspension and filed legislation to provide DOD greater flexibility in pay recoupment schedules"

May 21, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and U.S. Representative Carol Shea-Porter today applauded the decision by the U.S. Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) to suspend recoupment of certain separation benefits paid to veterans. Shaheen and Shea-Porter had advocated a suspension of recoupment pending the outcome of the Military Retirement Pay Fairness Act, legislation they introduced in the Senate and House to protect veterans from financial hardship they may face when required to repay separation benefits.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – In a White House Rose Garden ceremony this morning, President Obama signed the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, a bill by Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and John McCain (R-AZ), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The bill will address the unreasonable cost and schedule estimates, unrealistic performance expectations, immature technologies, and repeated program changes that have led to explosive cost growth and costly schedule delays on so many of our major defense acquisition programs.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Senator Mike Johanns is co-sponsoring legislation to help combat the rise in mental health challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in U.S. troops and veterans. The Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act would require the Department of Defense to increase mental health screenings for military personnel deployed to combat.

"The military is seeing a sharp increase in the number of servicemen and women struggling to cope with their experiences," Johanns said. "Our troops face the rigors of battle and war every day, and we must do a better job of caring for their mental health. Identifying the warning signs when a service member is facing these challenges is an important first step."    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Robert Perciasepe, Deputy Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education; Colin Scott Fulton, General Counsel, Environmental Protection Agency; J. Michael Gilmore, Director, Operational Test & Evaluation, Department of Defense; Bart Chilton, Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and Cranston Mitchell, Commissioner, U.S. Parole Commission, Department of Justice.    » read more »

May 18, 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama’s choice to be Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs within the Department of the Army, Tom Lamont, was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate earlier this evening.

“With years of experience in the Illinois Army National Guard, Tom Lamont has a deep understanding of the needs of the Army,” said Durbin. “He is a dedicated public servant with exceptional knowledge and expertise in both the legal and legislative processes. President Obama made the right choice when he nominated Tom for this position and I look forward to working with him in the future.”    » read more »

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program.

Along with the B-52 and B-1B, the B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or "stealth," characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets. Its capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provides a strong, effective deterrent and combat force well into the 21st century.    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today issued the following comments on the U.S. Air Force's announcement that Lackland Air Force base in Texas has been selected as the preferred alternative to locate the Cyber 24th Air Force. The announcement was made as part of the Air Force's Environmental Impact Analysis Process. A final decision by the Air Force Secretary is expected upon completion of the EIAP.    » read more »