Coburn, Inhofe: C-SPAN 2 Regulars
Both of Oklahoma’s senators spoke on the Senate floor on Thursday: Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, talked about China (he’s not a big fan) and Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, talked about health care reform (government meddling in huge part of the economy).
According to C-SPAN’s web site, the two are very familiar faces on the floor of the Senate this year. In fact, Coburn has made the fifth most appearances of all senators in terms of days (37)_ just behind the four main Democratic and Republican leaders.
Coburn has spent a total of 12 hours talking on the floor of the Senate, already more than he spent in 2008.
Inhofe also made the top ten with his 35 days (9 hours and 38 minutes) on the floor.
All of their speeches are available on the site.
Dem. Party Chairman on Sullivan
Todd Goodman, the new chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, issued this statement about Congressman John Sullivan, the Tulsa Republican who checked into a clinic for treatment of alcoholism:
“The Oklahoma Democratic Party wishes to express our support for Congressman John Sullivan in this difficult time. We wish him the best in his recovery from his illness, and our thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Sullivan and his family as they attend to this private matter.”
Coburn Running Again
Sen. Tom Coburn’s campaign website _ launched today after the Muskogee Republican announced his intention to run for reelection _ gives you the opportunity to watch a new commercial and, as a bonus, commercials from last year’s unnsuccessful campaign by Andrew Rice.
Coburn Report on Beach Waste
Sen. Tom Coburn’s office has released a report that says the federal government is spending about $100 million a year to replenish beaches while more critical projects, such as levees, are starved for funds.
“Taxpayers know that Congress wastes money,” Coburn, R-Muskogee, said. “Yet, many Americans may be surprised to learn that billions of taxpayer dollars have literally washed out to sea through questionable ‘beach nourishment projects’ while critical infrastructure needs have gone unmet. In the wake of major natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, and in the midst of our current financial difficulties, it’s time for Congress to use a little more common sense in its management of taxpayer dollars.”
Bonnie and Clyde Files
The FBI put some files regarding gangsters Bonnie and Clyde on its web site for the first time today.
Inhofe, Lucas Against Obama Proposals
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, are taking public stands today against proposals of President Barack Obama.
Inhofe will lead an effort to assure detainees at Gitmo won’t be transferred to prison facilities in the United States.
And Lucas is holding a news conference to say rural America will suffer disproportionately from the president’s goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions.
Inhofe Questions Gates
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, questioned Defense Secretary Robert Gates this morning about the secretary’s decision to cancel some weapons programs, including the Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicles. One of those vehicles was a cannon that was supposed to be partially assembled in Elgin.
Warning: This clip is full of Defense Department acronymns and jargon.
NY Times Slams Coburn Gun Amendment
The New York Times today criticized Senate passage of an amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn to allow loaded firearms in national parks.
Recent Defense Contracts
The Pentagon has announced these contracts in the last two weeks that include Oklahoma companies or Oklahoma military installations:
_ Banham Construction, LLC, Oklahoma City, Okla. was awarded a $20,660,814 firm fixed price contract to design, site preparation and construction of a single story multi-bay cargo aircraft hangar building (860SF) with concrete foundation and floor stab, structural steel frame and masonry walls with insulated metal roof. Project includes concrete aprons. Offices for personnel, HVAC, utilities, fire protection, lightning system utilities. Install overhead bridge crane system. Work is to be performed in Robins Air Force base with an estimated completion date of Apr. 25, 2011. One hundred (100) bids were proposed and 3 proposals received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga. is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-C-0012).
_ The Boeing Co., Wichita, Kan., is being awarded a $5,989,487 cost plus fixed price delivery order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for the supplies and services necessary to plan, manage, and execute engineering support for the U.S. Navy’s E-6B aircraft Service Life Sustainment effort. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Okla., and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
_ McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $44,598,541 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract (N00019-04-C-0014). This modification provides for the procurement of ancillary mission equipment for the F/A-18 E/F and E/A-18G aircraft. Work will be performed in Clearwater, Fla., (98 percent); and Tulsa, Okla., (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $13,331,390 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Inhofe Welcomes New General
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a frequent visitor to Afghanistan, praised U.S. Army Gen. David McKiernan, who was replaced as the top commander in Afghanistan by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Inhofe also welcomed Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal to the post, as well as Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, who will be McChrystal’s deputy.
“General McKiernan is a combat proven warrior – a man who epitomizes the words honor and integrity,” Inhofe said.
“I had the great privilege to meet with General McKiernan in Afghanistan last December and again this past month. He has always demonstrated a clear understanding of what was needed to succeed in Afghanistan and he continually pressed for additional troops in order to achieve that success. He also oversaw the initial troop increases under the Bush administration and the current increase in U.S. troops ordered by President Obama.
“I also want to warmly welcome both Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal and Lieutenant General David M. Rodriguez to their new posts. They are two of the most qualified generals in the Army, and are extremely respected across the services. I am confident in their leadership styles and their expertise to successfully execute the mission in Afghanistan.”
