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McCaskill, Collins, Turner, Tsongas Unveil Comprehensive Legislation to Address Sexual Assaults in Military

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine.) and U.S. Representatives Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to combat sexual assaults in the military by better holding perpetrators accountable and better protecting survivors. The updated version of the group’s legislation includes additional provisions to protect and enhance the rights of victims. The lawmakers are working to include the legislation in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.

“The problems the U.S. military have had dealing with this issue—whether it’s aggressively prosecuting perpetrators or effectively protecting survivors—are well chronicled and have gone on far too long,” said U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a former county prosecutor and a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “It’s time for the reforms contained in this bill, and I’m going to work with my colleagues in both chambers and in both parties to ensure that they’re enacted.”

“The Department of Defense has a no-tolerance policy towards sexual assault, but the culture does not match that policy,” said U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “Individuals who commit acts of rape or sexual assault have no place in the United States Armed Forces, an institution that depends upon the high standards, ethics, and character of its service members. This is an unacceptable situation and we must work together to address it.”

“With more outrageous revelations regarding sexual assault in the military, it’s clear further action is needed on this issue. By updating the BE SAFE Act, which we have included in this year’s House NDAA, we will be taking those additional steps. Specifically, enhanced rights for victims provided in this bill will ensure they not being re-victimized and are treated with respect through the judicial proceedings. I’d like to thank my colleagues, Sens. Susan Collins and Claire McCaskill, as well as Rep. Niki Tsongas for their continued dedication to combating sexual assault in our nation’s military,” said Congressman Mike Turner, Co-Chair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus.

“I became involved in this issue six years ago when a female soldier told me she was more afraid of her fellow soldiers than she was of the enemy. She carried a knife in her waistband on-base in case she ever needed to fight back. That’s why we introduced this legislation – to fight back. Our bill is an important first step at looking to change the power of commanders and bring power back to those who have had it ripped away. Thanks to the hard work of my colleagues here this morning, we are seeing bipartisan support in the House and Senate and have put this bill on a good path to becoming law,” said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Co-Chair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus

The bill contains reforms to better address sexual assault prosecutions and aid survivors including provisions that:

· Remove the convening authority’s ability to change or dismiss an adjudged court-martial conviction for any charge or specification except for a charge or specification for a minor offense.

· Require a convening authority to provide written justification for any modifications made to a sentence, and require that they receive input from the victim.

· Require that a person found guilty of an offense of rape, sexual assault, forcible sodomy, or an attempt to commit any of those offenses receive a punishment that includes, at a minimum, a dismissal or dishonorable discharge

· Eliminate the five-year statute of limitations on Trial by Courts-Martial for sexual assault and sexual assault of a child.

This group of lawmakers had previously sponsored the Coast Guard STRONG Act, which applies protections enacted in other branches of the military to the United States Coast Guard.

The text of the legislation is available HERE, and a section-by-section breakdown of the bill is attached.

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"The IRS - Targeting Americans for their Political Beliefs"

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Turner Grills IRS Officials at Oversight Hearing

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Turner, a senior member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, today directly questioned IRS officials at a hearing on the IRS targeting taxpayers for their political beliefs. Turner is seeking to find answers as to who undertook this action, who approved it, and who orchestrated it. In response to his questioning, Former IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman refused to answer Turner “Yes” or “No” if the actions of the IRS were against our nation’s democratic values.

Turner has introduced the Taxpayer Nondiscrimination & Protection Act of 2013. The bill would amend Title 18 of the U.S. Code to make it a crime for an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee to discriminate against an individual or group on the basis of their protected rights. In addition, it expressly clarifies that political speech and political expression are protected rights. Sen. Marco Rubio has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

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Turner Leads 122 House Members in Support of Abrams Tank Funding

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Turner, Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, has lead 121 of his colleagues in writing to Army Secretary John McHugh in support of funding for the upgrading of the M1A1 Abrams tanks that our National Guard uses. The President’s budget has once again failed to adequately fund the program, leaving the responsibility of maintaining this critical capability to Congress.

“We are deeply concerned to learn that the Army has once again failed to fund production of the M1A2 SEP (Abrams) tank. This decision neglects the Army’s responsibility to modernize the National Guard units, and undervalues the damaging impact to the highly specialized industrial base that supports the program,” the lawmakers write in their letter.

Upgrading the Army National Guard fleet to the M1A2-SEP variant would accomplish multiple objectives. It would keep the production lines running and would allow our troops to train on the tanks they will take to war, reducing post mobilization training time and insuring better trained, more lethal and survivable crews. Our troops in the Army National Guard can be called upon at anytime to deploy for combat operations as they have done in Iraq. We cannot afford to send our troops to combat with the second best tank available. The National Guard should be afforded the same protections and capabilities as their active duty counterpart.

“The industrial base cannot be turned on and off like a light switch. Failing to fund the program in fiscal year 2014 would likely result in a production break in 2016 that would significantly impact the skilled workforce as well as drive many small companies out of business; leaving our Nation without the necessary industrial capacity to produce tanks when we need them,” write the lawmakers.

The Abrams program is supported by nearly 900 suppliers; Seventy-five percent of these suppliers are small business. Twenty-one percent of the suppliers will have to be re-qualified if there is a production break. This means that if there is production break, most of these small businesses will go away and when the Army needs them the Army may have to go overseas to find replacements.

NOTE: A copy of the letter follows below.

May 21, 2013

The Honorable John McHugh

Secretary of the Army

101 Army Pentagon

Washington, DC 20310 - 0101

Dear Mr. McHugh,

We are deeply concerned to learn that the Army has once again failed to fund production of the M1A2 SEP (Abrams) tank. This decision neglects the Army’s responsibility to modernize the National Guard units, and undervalues the damaging impact to the highly specialized industrial base that supports the program.

The Congressional Defense Committees have repeatedly recognized that funding the Abrams is necessary to maintain a critical core capability. The M1A2 is unquestionably the most lethal battle tank in the world, yet the National Guard still uses the less capable M1A1 Abrams tanks. The National Guard has played a very large part in the contingencies operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They should be using the same variant of tanks as our active duty forces.

The Army has a responsibility to maintain the critical infrastructure that produces these vehicles. The Joint Systems Manufacturing Center is a government owned contractor operated facility and is the only domestic facility with the capability to manufacture these vehicles. By failing to adequately plan for future years and eliminating funds for tank productions, the Army has defaulted to a plan that will shutter the plant and drive away its highly skilled employees.

It is our understanding that the Army believes that Foreign Military Sales (FMS) alone are enough to keep the facility at minimum levels of production until the next major upgrades to the Abrams tank take place in the 2019 timeframe. Congress has consistently taken the position that FMS alone is an unacceptable level of risk. FMS combined with a minimum level of United States based tanks for the National Guard is the most rational path forward until the next series of upgrades begin.

The industrial base cannot be turned on and off like a light switch. Failing to fund the program in fiscal year 2014 would likely result in a production break in 2016 that would significantly impact the skilled workforce as well as drive many small companies out of business; leaving our Nation without the necessary industrial capacity to produce tanks when we need them. The Army must manage these facilities in a responsible manner that does not require Congress to annually consider whether or not they are being properly funded.

We ask that you work with Congress to sustain this unique and critical capability and look forward to discussing this issue with you at future congressional hearings.

Sincerely,

1. Mike Turner

2. Jim Jordan

3. Tim Ryan

4. Mario Diaz-Balart

5. Rep. Leonard Lance

6. Steve Stivers

7. Trent Franks

8. Richard Nugent

9. Marcy Kaptur

10. Candice Miller

11. Morgan Griffith

12. Mike Simpson

13. Steve Chabot

14. André Carson

15. Bob Gibbs

16. Robert E. Latta

17. Tom Marino

18. Nick Rahall

19. Brad Wenstrup

20. Steve Southerland

21. Pat Tiberi

22. Jim Renacci

23. Peter King

24. Bill Johnson

25. Tim Griffin

26. William Keating

27. David Joyce

28. Corrine Brown

29. Lou Barletta

30. Mike Fitzpatrick

31. Ander Crenshaw

32. Doug LaMalfa

33. Tom Rooney

34. Devin Nunes

35. Bill Shuster

36. Jon Runyan

37. Jim Bridenstine

38. Bill Huizenga

39. Rob Bishop

40. Peter J. Roskam

41. Adam Kinzinger

42. Kerry Bentivolio

43. Tom Rice

44. Marc Veasey

45. Richard Hanna

46. Roger Williams

47. Mike Pompeo

48. Tim Walberg

49. Jim Gerlach

50. John Carter

51. Ed Pastor

52. Mike McIntyre

53. Mike Rogers (MI)

54. Paul Cook

55. Tom Latham

56. Matt Cartwright

57. Rob Wittman

58. Frank Lobiondo

59. Marcia L. Fudge

60. Joe Wilson

61. Pat Meehan

62. James P. McGovern

63. Vicky Hartzler

64. Paul A. Gosar

65. David McKinley

66. Ron Barber

67. Howard Coble

68. Joyce Beatty

69. Sam Johnson

70. Doug Lamborn

71. Bennie G. Thompson

72. Lee Terry

73. Bruce Braley

74. Carolyn McCarthy

75. Hank Johnson

76. Scott Rigell

77. Gerry Connolly

78. Dan Benishek

79. Charles W Dent

80. Patrick McHenry

81. Blaine Luetkemeyer

82. Erik Paulsen

83. George Holding

84. Grace F. Napolitano

85. Rob Andrews

86. Rosa DeLauro

87. William L. Enyart

88. G. K. Butterfield

89. Rick Crawford

90. Mike Doyle

91. Ralph Hall

92. Dave Loebsack

93. Sanford Bishop

94. Dave Camp

95. Matt Salmon

96. Steve Israel

97. Gary C Peters

98. Sander Levin

99. John D. Dingell

100. Dan Kildee

101. David Schweikert

102. Dutch Ruppersberger

103. Kyrsten Sinema

104. Bill Owens

105. Mike Kelly

106. Robert Pittenger

107. Pete Sessions

108. Suzanne Bonamici

109. Collin Peterson

110. Joe Heck

111. Tom Cole

112. Keith Rothfus

113. Doc Hastings

114. Robert Hurt

115. Bob Goodlatte

116. Cheri Bustos

117. Austin Scott

118. Walter Jones

119. Frank Lucas

120. Lois Capps

121. Rodney Davis

122. Niki Tsongas

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Taking Homeland Missile Defense Seriously

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

By Rep. Mike Turner

Shortly after North Korea began ramping up their threats of attacking the United States or our allies in the Pacific, our nation moved key missile defense assets to the region. Then, the Obama Administration picked up their favorite bargaining chip - America’s missile defense shield.

Secretary of State John Kerry flew to China and offered to remove our recently added defenses in the Pacific to encourage them to counter the increasingly belligerent tone and actions by North Korea. This is the same failed strategy that the Administration offered up to the Russians in exchange for the Administration’s request that they engage with Iran. Meanwhile both the North Korean and Iranian programs to develop intercontinental missiles and nuclear weapons continue.

At a time when our missile defense system is the only defense that we have to the threat from North Korea and the emerging threats from Iran, I am greatly concerned that our nation’s missile defense strategy is languishing. The end result is increased risk to the United States, increased cost to the taxpayer and needless alienation of our allies.

Our enemies around the world have sought nuclear weapons and missile technology, yet the Obama Administration has consistently reduced missile defense funding, abandoned previous Bush Administration strategies that sought to respond to these emerging threats and has compromised the implementation of missile defense programs.

They have sought elusive Russian, and now Chinese, approval of the right of the United States to defend itself. Most recently, the Administration has abandoned its own missile defense strategy. Specifically, Phase IV of the Phased Adaptive Approach which would have provided homeland protection from missiles launched from the Middle East. Instead, they have thrown their support behind a stopgap measure of completing installation ground-based missiles in Alaska that they had previously cancelled.

I welcomed the Administration announcing its long-stalled installation of ground based interceptors at the Alaska missile field – a facility it has attempted to close. Although this reveals that they have no plan to reasonably respond to the real and foreseeable threats from North Korea and Iran. This deficiency is compounded by the effects of the Administration's clumsy handling of our relationship with our NATO and Asian allies.

The abrupt cancelation of the Bush Administration missile defense commitments coupled with the announcement of the abandonment of the president’s phased adaptive approach have left our allies to stand alone in the face of domestic criticism and Russian opposition to the US expanding its missile defense infrastructure.

Our relationship with the Polish and Czech governments has yet to fully recover. I am concerned that the Administration may repeat the same relationship-straining affront with our Romanian allies as well as our Asian allies. The president and his Administration must address the damage done to our relationships with our NATO allies as a result of their failed missile defense strategies.

Since completion of the Alaska missile field alone is insufficient for full protection of the United States, I am calling upon the Administration to support the site selection and completion of an East Coast missile field to complement our missile defense sites in California and Alaska.

Previously, General Charles H. Jacoby, head of Northern Command with responsibility of defending the U.S. has stated: “What a third site gives me, whether it’s on the East Coast, or an alternate location, would be increased battle space. That means, increased opportunity for me to engage threats from Iran or North Korea.”

This past week at a hearing before the House Armed Service Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, I asked Vice Admiral James D. Syring the Director of the Missile Defense Agency, if he would agree with General Jacoby on the benefit of increased battle space, his answer was “Yes.”

The world is not becoming a safer place. That increased battle space and a clearly defined missile defense strategy are the defense which will continue to keep the homeland safe. Offering to weaken our defenses in hopes of irrational nations suspending their weapons programs is not an effective security strategy. Simply put – these offers are of sole benefit to our adversaries and to the detriment of the American people. It’s time we refocus our efforts where they will count.

Congressman Mike Turner, a Republican representing the 10^th District of Ohio, is Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.

Turner: “What the IRS Did Absolutely Should be Illegal”

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today at a hearing before the House Committee on Ways and Means, outgoing Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Steve Miller, stated that the actions of IRS employees targeting conservative organizations was “absolutely not illegal.” Turner in the following statement calls on fellow lawmakers to join him in making it an illegal act:

“Unfortunately, Commissioner Miller is right. The actions by the IRS bureaucrats who targeted conservative groups aren’t illegal. In fact the most punishment they could stand to receive is termination if their supervisor approves it. Targeting Americans for their political beliefs should absolutely be an illegal act. If you’re an employee of the IRS, and use the government for partisan political purposes, you should receive the same punishment as if a member of the president’s cabinet had undertaken that action: 5 years in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both. That’s why I introduced legislation to ensure that there is a deterrent for those who seek to abuse the role of our government. I’m proud to have the support of 86 of my colleagues and am calling on my fellow legislators to add their names to this common sense bill.”

This week, Turner introduced the Taxpayer Nondiscrimination & Protection Act of 2013. The bill would amend Title 18 of the U.S. Code to make it a crime for an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee to discriminate against an individual or group on the basis of their protected rights. In addition, it expressly clarifies that political speech and political expression are protected rights. Sen. Marco Rubio has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

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Turner Statement on DOD Civilian Furloughs

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) released the following statement upon Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announcing that Defense Department civilian employees would be furloughed 11 days as a result of sequestration:

“Today’s announcement is exactly why I voted against sequestration – it will severely impact hardworking civilian DOD employees and put further strain on our community. I have heard from business owners, restaurant employees, local leaders, and everyone in between who has told me how sequestration has impacted their lives. The president promised Ohioans that sequestration wouldn’t happen. Unfortunately, he and the Senate have failed to meet the House on a solution to this mess that I opposed from the beginning. We cannot do it alone. We need the leadership of the president and the Senate to halt these furloughs and to inject stability back into our community.”

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Turner to Introduce Taxpayer Nondiscrimination and Protection Act

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), today will introduce the Taxpayer Nondiscrimination & Protection Act of 2013. The bill would amend Title 18 of the U.S. Code to make it a crime for an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee to discriminate against an individual or group on the basis of their protected rights. In addition, it expressly clarifies that political speech and political expression are protected rights.

“Americans of all political beliefs have been rightly outraged by the revelation of the IRS’ efforts to target certain political organizations. The fact that this could occur with little to no corrective action against those who seek to silence their fellow citizens is unacceptable. That’s why I’m taking immediate action and introducing this bill,” said Turner

Currently, IRS employees who discriminate against taxpayers may be subject to termination. However that is at the discretion of their supervisors. Turner's bill would increase the maximum penalty to a $5,000 fine, 5 years in prison, or both - which is the same maximum penalty for a member of the president's cabinet who directs an employee to take that sort of action.

“Americans should not have to wonder if their government is actively looking to subvert them or their political views. We live in a nation where respect for differing beliefs and a vibrant political discourse play an important role in shaping our government. This is about protecting the rights of all Americans, and their ability to freely express their political thoughts,” added Turner.

NOTE: A copy of the legislation is available here.

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Turner to White House to Discuss Military Sexual Assault

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), Co-Chair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus, has been invited to the White House today to discuss the issue of sexual assault in the military. The meeting, today at 10:30am, will be with President Obama’s senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and Tina Tchen, the first lady's chief of staff. Turner yesterday teamed with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3) to introduce the BE SAFE Act. The legislation addresses issues with Article 60 of the UCMJ’s convening authority, and creates an automatic discharge for conviction in major sexual assault cases.

“I look forward to today’s discussion at the White House. The president, as commander-in-chief has a responsibility to ensure the safety and morale of our men and women in uniform. This issue strikes at the heart of our servicemember’s ability to successfully carry out their duties. The president must lead and demonstrate to the leaders of our Department of Defense that sexual assault is not just bad behavior or a small problem, but a crime that must be taken seriously,” said Turner

Previously, Turner and Tsongas co-authored the STRONG Act and were successful in getting many of its provisions passed through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in recent years.

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Turner Statement on White House Meeting on Sexual Assault in the Military

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Turner, Co-Chair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus, released the following statement after meeting with White House officials and a group of bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers on the issue of sexual assault in the military:

“Today’s meeting was a positive discussion about the path forward legislatively on the issue of sexual assault in the military. The White House and Congressional members in attendance were in agreement on the need to change the culture in the military which discourages the reporting of sexual assaults. In addition, with the legislative proposals that are seriously being discussed, there are opportunities to further collaboration to create an overarching effort in the coming House and Senate National Defense Authorization Acts. I feel that there is positive momentum on this issue. I’d like to thank the White House for listening to us today. It is my hope they continue to play an active role in this issue which has a direct impact on the safety and morale of our men and women in uniform.”

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Congressional Art Competition Deadline

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:02:13 GMT

The Competition is open to all high school students who live in Ohio’s Third Congressional District. Students will compete for one of four generous academic scholarships and the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. this summer.

Military Service Academy Day

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:23:07 GMT

During the Academy Day program, students interested in being nominated to US military service academies will have an opportunity to speak with representatives from each of the five academies.

Deadline for Congressional Page Program Applications

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:37:34 GMT

Students entering into their junior or senior year this fall are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age; reside in the Third Congressional District

Congressional Art Competition Reception

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:05:40 GMT

Congressman Turner to Appear on Ohio News Network

Fri, 08 May 2009 13:32:50 GMT

Rep. Turner to Appear on WDTN’s Dayton & Beyond

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:15:19 GMT

Congressman Mike Turner will appear on WDTN’s Dayton & Beyond public affairs show, this Sunday, June 14 at 12:00 noon.

Rep. Turner on the Bucks Braun Show

Thu, 14 May 2009 19:56:38 GMT

Congressman Mike Turner will call-in on The Bucks Braun Show this Monday, May 18 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Congressman Turner will discuss his legislative agenda and issues of the day.