News Stories
The Hill - Sarah Ferris and Peter Sullivan
House Republicans outraged by a series of undercover Planned Parenthood videos about fetal parts are pressuring their leadership to immediately call a vote on defunding the organization.
Republican members have been lining up behind the push to cut off federal funds to the organization. Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) and 124 co-sponsors have backed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood for one year while an investigation takes place.
Washington Times - Andrew Nachemson
Alzheimer’s advocates are warning that Medicare and the national health system will be swamped by costs and patient loads in the coming years if no action is taken to prepare for a projected huge increase in the caseload as baby boomers enter their senior years.
The Oklahoman - Carla Hinton
The Oklahoma Congressional delegation recently hosted its 10th annual Oklahoma Prayer Breakfast at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., to pray for Oklahomans and celebrate the proud history and tradition of the Sooner State.
About 140 people attended, ranging from Oklahomans visiting the Capitol to native Oklahomans who now work in Washington, a news release from U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, said.
The Oklahoman - Editorial Board
Members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation had a somewhat muted response to the news that Fort Sill will gain from a pending military restructuring that will produce deep cuts in other installations. We share their ambivalence.
On the one hand, this is great news for Fort Sill and the Lawton area. The addition of 219 active-duty positions in the next two years will keep Fort Sill in a strong position going forward; its primary focus is on field artillery training and air defense artillery, or Fires.
NewsOK - Chris Casteel
Members of Oklahoma’s all-Republican congressional delegation voiced skepticism and concern Tuesday about the nuclear deal struck by the Obama administration and other countries with Iran.
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa
“The president’s deal with Iran failed to meet the only standard that ensures the future safety of America and its allies, which is the complete dismantling of Iran’s capability to build a nuclear bomb.
Chickasha News - Adam Troxtell
Oklahoma congressional representatives have greeted a new agreement between the U.S. and Iran over its nuclear program with skepticism.
Both Rep. Tom Cole and Sen. James Lankford issued statements, saying they were wary about the deal with Iran that was announced Tuesday and even condemned parts of it. They said Congress should take time reviewing the deal to ensure it is truly in the nation's best interest.
Lawton Constitution - Mitch Meador
The sun popped out at Fort Sill on Thursday after Army officials announced where the 40,000 cuts to its active force would be.
Fort Sill will have zero job cuts, according to Joe Gallagher, deputy to the commanding general of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill.
It’s one of only four installations that will see gains from the Army’s force structure decisions and stationing plan — and the only one seeing triple-digit growth, he added.
Lawton Constitution - Editorial
Were you scared and nervous about the Pentagon’s announcement about downsizing 40,000 troops that was released at noon on Thursday? Net impact is adding about 219 soldiers over next two years.
All that worry for nothing, eh? It’s time to concentrate on making Lawton an even more attractive place to invest, work, live and raise a family.
There are some things about the Army’s decision you might not have thought about lately.
The Oklahoma - Chris Casteel
Fort Sill, the U.S. Army artillery post in southwestern Oklahoma, will gain more than 200 positions over the next two years while other bases are hit with deep personnel cuts.
The Army, which must reduce its active duty ranks by 40,000 and its civilian workforce by 17,000, released its specific base-by-base changes on Thursday. While bases in Texas, Georgia, Alaska and other states are absorbing thousands of lost positions, Fort Sill will gain 219 active duty slots.
KGOU - Brian Hardzinski
Former U.S. Rep. Brad Carson has been formally nominated for the position of Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness at the U.S. Department of Defense.
Carson has been serving in that role as the acting under secretary since April. He previously worked as Under Secretary of the Army, which is the branch's second-highest civilian position, and before that as the Army's general counsel.