Congressman Denny Rehberg

May 26, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), and the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve a spending bill that includes nearly $80 million in funding for five military construction projects in Montana. Rehberg is a member of the House Military Quality of Life Appropriations subcommittee.

“Montana’s military community deserves the best housing and facilities we can provide, so I’m glad that the House was able to schedule the vote and get this legislation approved so quickly after our committee completed its work on this measure,” Rehberg said.

Five projects approved two weeks ago by Rehberg’s Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee were included in the Military Quality of Life and Veterans spending bill that the House passed today:

· $68,971,000 to construct 296 family homes at Malmstrom Air Force Base

· $ 5,942,000 for an Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility in Helena

· $ 2,558,000 to build an Army National Guard Training Range in Townsend

· $ 1,324,000 for improvements to the Army National Guard Center in Helena

· $ 990,000 for planning and design of a new fitness center at Malmstrom

“When I joined the Appropriations Committee this year, I made a commitment to do everything I can to improve Montana’s military and guard facilities,” Rehberg explained.

May 25, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today helped craft funding increases for federal Child Nutrition, Food Stamp, and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) programs. Rehberg is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which approved next year’s funding for domestic food programs.

“I’m proud of the work we accomplished today to improve funding for nutrition programs that serve struggling, low income families,” Rehberg said. “These programs are crucial to the communities they serve in Montana, and the amounts we okayed today are designed to keep pace with the growing demand and success of these important programs.”

Rehberg’s committee approved a $630 million increase for the Child Nutrition programs, an increase of $5.5 billion for the Food Stamp program, and a $22 million increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Child (WIC).

“Our committee also agreed to provide funding for the Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis panel to continue its work toward the elimination of brucellosis from wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone area,” Rehberg said.

In addition, the Appropriations Committee approved a Rehberg request of more than $400,000 for a University of Montana valued-added product and venture development program, and more than $3.2 million for five Montana State University (MSU) programs, including:

$1 million for the Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Research

$937,000 for the Montana Beef Network

$569,000 for MSU’s Montana Sheep Institute

$440,000 for vaccine development for brucellosis in bison, and

$298,000 for MSU’s wool research program

Included in the committee vote was an additional $300,000 for genomics research at Fort Keogh in Miles City, as well as $1.3 million for predator control in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.

May 24, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sponsored House legislation to delay the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

“I’m serious about using every opportunity to protect both MANG and Malmstrom,” Rehberg said of the bill that would, among other things postpone the BRAC process until completion of the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). “They got the cart before the horse with BRAC; the Pentagon still has to present its Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), which is a process that will run from this summer into next year.”

Rehberg discussed Malmstrom and the Quadrennial Defense Review in a meeting today with the head of the Air Force’ strategic missile command, Major General Frank Klotz. Rehberg urged Klotz to help Montana identify a new mission for Malmstrom Air Force Base.

“It’s possible that with the Quadrennial Defense Review, the Pentagon will explore a non-nuclear role for some of Malmstrom’s missiles – a process in which some of the ICBMs would have their nuclear components replaced with conventional warheads,” Rehberg, a member of the Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee, explained. “It would enable the Air Force to involve Malmstrom if the need arose to strike targets half way around the world in one hour or less without using nuclear force. The Navy has already set that precedent converting four of its eleven Trident submarines. If the Pentagon moves in that direction, it could mean a larger role for Malmstrom, so we’re closely watching the Quadrennial Defense Review.”

Under the measure sponsored by Rehberg, the BRAC process would be halted until completion and implementation of the Secretary of Defense’s Homeland Defense and Civil Support Directive, the return from deployment of substantially all major combat units and assets of the Armed Forces in Iraq, the development and implementation by the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security of the National Maritime Security Strategy, and complete analysis and consideration of the recommendations of the Commission on Review of Overseas Military Structure.

May 19, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - The Pentagon wants to keep the Montana Air National Guard (MANG) open and running for potential future operations, Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), said after a briefing late yesterday with Air Force Lt. General Stephen Wood. Wood is Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs. Also in the meeting was Wood’s assistant, Major General Paul J. Fletcher.

“We finally got a clarification from the Pentagon about what they want to do with the Guard at Great Falls International: the Air Force wants to keep the lights on at MANG for future use. They so strongly believe in the Guard’s mission that they want the flexibility to keep the personnel in place at MANG,” Rehberg, a member of the House Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee, reported. “Meanwhile, we’ve finally got the opening we’ve been looking for. They’re willing to cooperate with us on finding emerging missions to augment MANG and Malmstrom Air Force Base.”

At Wood’s suggestion, Rehberg today relayed the news to Major General (MT) Randall D. Mosley, Montana National Guard Adjutant General. Rehberg’s message: “They want us to be patient. They’re keeping the doors open at MANG because of its potential for future missions and emergencies.”

“There’s also a potential future mission for Malmstrom Air Force Base in the Pentagon’s growing use of UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles],” Rehberg said. “Considering our 500-mile international border, homeland security is going to figure prominently in the military’s future plans for Montana, and I want the Air Force to see how these reconnaissance aircraft, like the Global Hawk and Predator, would be a terrific fit for Malmstrom.”

Also today, Rehberg received the Pentagon’s written response* to his request, earlier this week, for a clarification of the BRAC proposal. In his inquiry response to Rehberg, Col. Christopher Kapellas, Chief of the Air Force Base Realignment and Closure Division, said the military “is not moving any Air National Guard units from Great Falls IAP AGS, Montana; however, the Air Force is moving or retiring the forces structure (15 F-16 aircraft).”

May 16, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today requested clarification from the Department of Defense over the details of the military’s realignment of the Montana Air National Guard (MANG), based in Great Falls. MANG’s realignment included the loss of 124 positions, under last Friday’s recommendation by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission.

“In view of MANG’s critical importance both to the Great Falls community and to the state of Montana, we need to know what, just exactly, is the bottom line here,” Rehberg, a member of the House Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee, commented. “According to Friday’s BRAC recommendation, MANG would lose all of its F-16 fighter jets, but only 81 civilian and 26 military positions. We need to know – is that it, or are there more losses to come?”

The BRAC Commission recommended a realignment of six F-16s, along with the retirement of another nine fighter jets. The report, however, said “elements” of MANG’s 120th Wings Expeditionary Combat Support “will remain in place.”

“The report delivered to Congress, Friday, May 13, specified the loss of 107 jobs directly associated with the loss of the 120th Fighter Wing’s 15 F-16 aircraft. However, local published reports speculate the number of personnel directly associated with the fighter wing is much higher,” Rehberg said in his letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. “While we are aware that the expeditionary combat support will remain in place, I respectfully request a clarification of MANG’s future, and a breakdown of the personnel lost and maintained under the proposed realignment.”

Letter Below:

The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld

Office of the Secretary

The Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1155

May 16, 2005

Dear Secretary Rumsfeld:

As you know, your BRAC recommendations of this past week included a realignment of the Air Guard Station in Great Falls, Montana. The report delivered to Congress, Friday, May 13, specified the loss of 107 jobs directly associated with the loss of the 120th Fighter Wing’s 15 F-16 aircraft. However, local published reports speculate the number of personnel directly associated with the fighter wing is much higher.

While we are aware that the expeditionary combat support will remain in place, I respectfully request a clarification of MANG’s future, and a breakdown of the personnel lost and maintained under the proposed realignment.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this request and for all that you do to maintain the security of this great nation.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg
Member of Congress

May 12, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today announced his U.S. House Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee has approved nearly $80 million in funding for five military construction projects in Montana.

“In recent months, I’ve had a chance to visit these facilities and speak first hand with Colonel Thomas [Malmstrom’s Commander] and other officials about their specific needs,” Rehberg said “This is obviously good news for Montana. Our military community deserves the best housing and facilities we can provide.”

Projects approved by Rehberg’s Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee include:

$68,971,000 to construct 296 family homes at Malmstrom Air Force Base
$ 5,942,000 for an Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility in Helena
$ 2,558,000 to build an Army National Guard Training Range in Townsend
$ 1,324,000 for improvements to the Army National Guard Center in Helena
$ 990,000 for planning and design of a new fitness center at Malmstrom

“When I joined the Appropriations Committee this year, I made a commitment to do everything I can to improve Montana’s military and guard facilities,” Rehberg explained.

May 12, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today announced his U.S. House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee has approved $13 million in funding for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and Dry Prairie Rural Water System, and $7.5 million for the North Central Rocky Boys Water System.

“I’m proud of the work that’s being done and progress were seeing on these two vital water projects. These communities deserve nothing less than our goal of providing each with a safe and dependable drinking water supply,” Rehberg said.

The committee also approved $135,000 for a Livingston River study.

“The Fort Peck and Dry Prairie Water System is truly a congressional success story for the people of northeastern Montana,” Rehberg said of the water project that will provide clean water for nearly 30,000 residents over 7,800 square miles.

The water quality within the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and within the Dry Prairie service area (Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, and Roosevelt counties) had once ranked as among the poorest in the country. The project will bring quality drinking water from a new intake and treatment plant on the Missouri River, near Wolf Point.

“I can’t begin to describe how thrilled we are to receive this high mark, and how very much we’d like to thank Denny for his work on this project on behalf of the project sponsor, as well as present and future water users in the area,” Clint Jacobs, Manager of the Dry Prairie Rural Water System, said.

The project combines separate ventures involving the Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority and the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System, which lies on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

“The Rocky Boys Water System is extremely critical for the entire community of north-central Montana,” Rehberg said, describing a project that brings three participating water systems – currently listed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) significant non-compliance list for violating the Surface Water Treatment Rule – into compliance and allow others to upgrade.

When completed, the Rocky Boys system will transport water from the Tiber Reservoir (also known as Lake Elwell) to the Rocky Boy’s Reservation through a core pipeline. It will also serve residents in portions of six counties: Hill, Chouteau, Teton, Toole, Liberty and Pondera and numerous towns, cities and water districts.

“We made a commitment to provide clean water to the people in these areas, and I’m pleased to see these projects secure such high funding levels from the appropriations subcommittees I now sit on,” Rehberg explained.

May 6, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today lauded the inclusion of border security legislation in the supplemental conference report filed last night. The final agreement is expected to pass the House today and the Senate next week. With Rehberg’s vote, the House approved the REAL ID Act (H.R. 418) in February. The bill addresses border security recommendations by the 9/11 Commission that were hastily omitted from the “Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act,” signed into law December 17. Rehberg voted against the final version of H.R. 10 because of the border security omission.

“This is the important piece that was missing from last year’s intelligence reform bill,” Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said. “The measure closes the security loopholes exploited on 9/11, enacting tough security standards for the issuance of driver’s licenses, reorganizing the asylum system abused by terrorists, fortifying our borders, and putting the teeth back into our neglected deportation laws.”

The legislation tightens procedures for non-citizen entry into, and movements and activities within, the United States. The bill also enables state governments to bolster standards for the security and integrity of drivers’ licenses, “something states should have been doing all along,” Rehberg pointed out, “which is keeping citizens safe from terrorists and refusing to hand out drivers licenses to illegal aliens.” Also included is a provision directed at reforming the asylum process, plus language that provides for the construction of physical barriers where appropriate to protect U.S. borders.

“As a state with one of the largest international borders, Montana needs all of these provisions. We want to see that driver’s licenses and other identification cards cannot be used to access Montana’s critical infrastructure,” Rehberg said.

Brief Highlights of the REAL ID (as included in the conference report):

· All states must require proof of lawful presence in the U.S. if their drivers’ licenses are to be accepted as a form of identification to a federal official. The conference report clarifies that getting aboard a commercial airplane or entering a federal building or a nuclear power plant are among the official federal purposes. States must comply within 3 years of law’s enactment.

· Temporary driver’s license issued to a foreign visitor by a state must expire when the visitor’s visa expires, with a maximum term of one year.

· Does not create a national ID card or a national database.

· Tightens the asylum system abused by terrorists by allowing immigration judges to determine witness credibility in asylum cases. In assessing witness credibility, requires the trier of fact “[c]onsider[]. . .the totality of the circumstances, and all relevant factors.” With respect to statements, the trier of fact is to “[c]onsider[] the circumstances under which the statements were made.”

· Closing the 3-Mile Hole in the fortified U.S./Mexico Border Fence Near San Diego

· Ensures all terrorism-related grounds of inadmissability to the U.S. are grounds for deportation from the U.S. Conference report allows the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive some of the new grounds of inadmissability. Congress must be given periodic updates on who receives waivers.

· Provides, after the proper judicial review, reforms to ensure the prompt removal from U.S. of terrorists and criminal aliens. By restoring judicial review to its former, settled forum, all aliens ordered removed by an immigration judge will be able to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and then raise constitutional and legal challenges to the circuit court, the second-highest courts in the U.S.

May 6, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today praised legislation that will help Montana’s local communities improve vocational and technical education. With Rehberg’s vote, the House approved the Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act (H.R. 366), a measure designed to expand career choices for students.

“Educators and community officials across Montana continue to stress to me the value of vocational and technical education and its importance in preparing young men and women for a successful future,” Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said. “VoTech education is important to our economy, providing good paying careers that keep young people in our state.”

The measure reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, often known as the Perkins program, improving the framework of current vocational and technical education programs without expanding the federal role in education. The bill would increase the focus on student academic achievement and helps states and local communities make the most of federal resources. The bill also continues to move away from the so-called School to Work model of the past, explicitly rejecting federal standards and instead increasing local control and local accountability.

“Educators throughout the state have told me how important it is to build both academic and technical skills if we want to help prepare students for college or employment or both,” Rehberg explained. “We want students to succeed in finding and building careers. Vocational and technical education programs are designed to give students a sense of direction, helping them focus on the next step, whether it’s employment or postsecondary education.”

To improve opportunities for students, the Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act emphasizes success at the local level by enhancing coordination between secondary and postsecondary vocational and technical education. In addition, the measure improves professional development for teachers and streamlines bureaucracy, providing more money to local communities without growing federal bureaucracy.

May 6, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), says international terrorism and illegal drug smuggling are two reasons he’s made tightening the nation’s immigration policy a priority.

Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, says his concern for strengthening immigration policy and Montana’s border security also stems from the fact that terrorists and drug traffickers have been known to come into Mexico, from there into Canada, then entering the United States across the nation’s northern border.

Rehberg statement:

“I’ve made immigration a priority because of two reasons. One — terrorism came to our shores, and much of it (illegal entry) is occurring along the southern border with Mexico. But the drug trade, as well, is coming in through the north, and what we’re finding is there are people coming into Mexico, into Canada, and then into Montana, and they’re bringing their drugs with them, and we can’t have that in our schools and in our communities. So, from a terrorism perspective and the drug interdiction perspective, we’ve got to try and slow these borders down.”

Rehberg voted in favor of, and the House of Representatives passed, tighter border security and immigration legislation in February. This week the House voted to adopt a supplemental conference report that includes the tougher security provisions, and will likely be approved by the Senate next week.