Iraq war

November 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today introduced House Resolution 904, honoring women who have served or are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. If passed, the resolution would recognize the expanding role of women in the military and their important contributions to America's military operations at home and abroad.

"Today, I am proud to honor the strength and accomplishments of our women in uniform," said Rep. Sanchez. "It is absolutely necessary to recognize that women are now engaging in frontline duties, fighting beside our male soldiers. Moving forward, it is imperative that we continue to give our servicewomen the tools they need to serve safely and effectively in combat."

The full text of H. Res. 904 can be found below:    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has ordered that the U.S. and Missouri flags on all state buildings in St. Louis County be flown at half-staff from Nov. 12 to Nov. 18 to honor the bravery and sacrifice of Specialist Christopher M. Cooper, age 28, of St. Louis. Specialist Cooper was a soldier in the United States Army who died on Oct. 30 while serving his country in Babil Province, Iraq.

In addition, Gov. Nixon has ordered that the U.S. and Missouri flags at state buildings in all 114 counties and the city of St. Louis be flown at half-staff for one full day on Thursday, Nov. 12.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Thursday, November 12, in honor of an Albany-area soldier who died in Iraq on November 4.

Staff Sergeant Amy C. Tirador, a member of the 209th Military Intelligence Co., 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division, died of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident in Kirkush. The unit is based at Fort Lewis, Washington.    » read more »

Scheme Involved U.S. Military Contracts Awarded in Kuwait

November 5, 2009 -- A civil lawsuit was filed today against a former U.S. Army officer and three contracting firms related to an alleged bribery scheme in connection with the awarding of contracts for services in Kuwait. Former Army officer John Cockerham Jr., who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges along with another former officer, James Momon Jr.    » read more »

Fund Would Provide Greater Aid to Military Families Nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 4, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will endorse a bill that would provide aid to military families in all branches of the armed services at a National Press Club Newsmakers press conference at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. The press conference will be in the Zenger Room on the 13th floor of National Press Building, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20045.    » read more »

Senator's New Requirements Will Help Returning Soldiers, Prevent Needless Tragedies

October 28, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus joined President Obama today for the signing of his legislation to provide medical screenings to returning combat troops to help identify and treat post-combat related behavioral health issues. Baucus’ measure was included in the final version of the Department of Defense Authorization Bill that the President signed into law.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- Although U.S. Army deployments have been linked positively to the likelihood of reenlisting for much of the past decade, a new RAND Corporation study shows that by 2006 the mounting burden of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan reached the point where deployment had a negative effect on reenlistment.

However, the increased rate of deployment did not reduce reenlistment rates through 2007 for any of the three other branches of the U.S. military.    » read more »

October 01, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced that the Defense Department’s Inspector General will investigate the U.S. Army’s response to the 2003 exposure of hundreds of U.S. soldiers to the deadly chemical sodium dichromate in Iraq.    » read more »

Investigation requested by Bayh to examine handling of exposure of Indiana National Guard soldiers in Iraq

October 1, 2009 -- Washington -- At the request of Senator Evan Bayh, the Department of Defense Inspector General (IG) announced that it will initiate an investigation into the U.S. Army’s response to the exposure of hundreds of U.S. soldiers—including 142 members of the Indiana National Guard—to the deadly chemical sodium dichromate in Iraq.    » read more »

August 25, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—Lee William Dubois, a former Department of Defense (DoD) contractor, was sentenced today to three years in prison for his participation in a scheme to steal fuel worth approximately $39.6 million from the U.S. Army in Iraq, announced Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Dana J. Boente.    » 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 »

May 21, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after the Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2009 passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 86-3.

“I support this bill because I’m committed to giving our service members the equipment, training, and care they need.

“As we transition to a new strategy in Afghanistan, and continue the responsible redeployment of troops from Iraq, we must do whatever it takes to protect the brave men and women in harm’s way. That means providing more mine resistant vehicles, funding our Stryker brigades, helping Afghanistan and Iraq take responsibility for their own security, and expanding care for our wounded warriors when they return home. This bill does that.    » read more »

Lincoln says “no” to funds for closure of Guantanamo

May 22, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) today said a funding bill passed by the Senate late Thursday provides critical resources to protect our troops fighting overseas along with funding for critical health care needs and for services that help reservists transition back to their families and communities once they return home.

“Our troops fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, including over 1,000 activated reservists from Arkansas in addition to those serving on active duty, deserve every resource we can provide to keep them safe and ensure they are prepared to meet the demands of their missions,” Lincoln said.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, urged Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to review procedures impeding the rapid resettlement of Iraqi refugees to the United States.    » read more »

In Memorial Day address, Governor says fallen ‘exemplify best our nation has to offer'

May 22, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today asked the people of Michigan to remember the meaning and importance of Memorial Day and honor those armed forces members from Michigan who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"In the year since we last commemorated Memorial Day, 11 more members of our armed forces who called Michigan home died in Iraq or Afghanistan," Granholm said. "A total of 176 service men and women from Michigan have perished in these two wars."    » read more »