Friday
Jan302009
Senator Levin active concerning Armed Services
Friday, January 30, 2009 at 3:21PM
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) gave an overview of the goals of the Armed Services Committee during a news conference today. The Committee will focus on several non-budget items this year, and according to Levin the plan is still to take the troops out of Iraq within the next 16 months.
One of the items on the agenda is a move to place Afghan troops on the border and place the border patrol under the ministry of defense. Another major initiative will be to take on acquisition reform with focus on the overrun costs of 300 billion dollars, the oversights on wounded soldier legislation, and taking advantage of the lessons learned from using security contractors. According to Levin, it is time to face the reality that there have to be budget cuts.
Sen. Levin also discussed the potential for working with Russia on missile defense in order to create an alliance against Iran. He said that if Iran can see the U.S. and Russia coming together that he ”can't exaggerate the power of such an impact.”
Levin voiced concern over the amount of private sectors that are performing governmental functions. He also warned that we have to be careful to not "Americanize" the Afghan army, like we did with Iraq.
In regard to the William J. Lynn III nomination for Deputy Defense Secretary, Sen. Levin stated that additional information has been requested and he still supports the nomination. Levin said that there is a strict set of rules applied to nominees, and that Lynn is no exception.
by Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
One of the items on the agenda is a move to place Afghan troops on the border and place the border patrol under the ministry of defense. Another major initiative will be to take on acquisition reform with focus on the overrun costs of 300 billion dollars, the oversights on wounded soldier legislation, and taking advantage of the lessons learned from using security contractors. According to Levin, it is time to face the reality that there have to be budget cuts.
Sen. Levin also discussed the potential for working with Russia on missile defense in order to create an alliance against Iran. He said that if Iran can see the U.S. and Russia coming together that he ”can't exaggerate the power of such an impact.”
Levin voiced concern over the amount of private sectors that are performing governmental functions. He also warned that we have to be careful to not "Americanize" the Afghan army, like we did with Iraq.
In regard to the William J. Lynn III nomination for Deputy Defense Secretary, Sen. Levin stated that additional information has been requested and he still supports the nomination. Levin said that there is a strict set of rules applied to nominees, and that Lynn is no exception.
by Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
U.S. Senate quizzes Deputy Attorney General Nominee David Ogden
Deputy Attorney General Nominee for the Justice Department, David Ogden, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to talk about his record.
Ogden gave his statement before a full committee room, with his mother, wife, children, sister, and nieces in attendance.
Mr. Ogden said: "I am grateful and humbled that President Obama and Attorney General Holder have placed such confidence in me".
Committee Chairman, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) said: "...it is time to restore the Justice Department and to restore the American people's confidence in Federal law enforcement. Today, the Committee continues the work of restoring the Department.”
In his opening testimony Mr. Ogden said: "I recognize that the challenges facing the Department may be as great as they ever have been. Since September 11, 2001, the Department has taken on a role at the heart of our national security during a war that has reached our homeland. It has the role as being the lead federal law enforcement agency and that role is urgent because crime across a range of fronts threatens our communities, our economy, and our personal rights plus our security. The Justice Department's role as protector of the public first has never been more important, given unprecedented budgetary demands.”
Members of the Committee noted the numerous letters of support that had been submitted in support of his defense of his nomination, from both Republican and Democrats and from the Military.
Former Senator John Warner (R-Va) gave a testimony in support of Ogden's nomination today, and Senator Jim Webb (D-Va) and Mark Warner (D-Va) have submitted written support to the Committee Clerk.
Ogden was asked about his opinion on a number of high profile issues during today's hearing. The committee asked Ogden about his stance on abortion, the death penalty, interrogation, torture, classified information and pornography.
David Ogden is currently a partner with WilmerHale, LLP where he works in the firm's Regulatory and Government Affairs and Litigation/Controversy Departments, which he joined in 2001. Additionally he is co-chair of the Government and Regulatory Litigation Practice Group, and a member of the Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation; Complex Commercial Litigation; International Arbitration; Public Policy and Strategy; and Defense, National Security and Government Contracts Practice Groups.
There are eight nominees that will have hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee for this position.