“While I appreciate the fact that, due to congressional action, we have cut the number of furlough days from 22 to 11 days, I am disappointed by the Defense Department’s decision to furlough thousands of valuable civilian workers,” said Cole. “A blanket 11-day furlough policy impacts specialized work that sometimes will not even translate into cost savings for the taxpayer. In some cases, these cuts will actually end up costing more money. The policy of mandatory civilian furloughs in every single department is misguided, and we must find a better course of action.

“The possibility of sequestration was not a surprise, and it is shameful that DOD and the Obama Administration failed to plan further in advance. Instead of protecting dedicated personnel, they have resorted to painful cuts in an effort to make a political statement.”

“I am disappointed that Secretary Hagel and his administrators were unable to find places to make cuts that do not harm workers,” Lankford said.

“The Defense Department is extremely adept at being prepared, meeting deadlines and implementing fall-back plans, so I am puzzled as to why the Department found it unavoidable to cut workers instead of waste. Other agencies like FAA, TSA and DHS have found ways—or  sought congressional affirmation that they have the flexibility—to make cuts to wasteful administrative costs, not employees with families to support. Congress gave the Department greater funding flexibility through the continuing resolution we passed in March, and my colleagues in the House stand ready to assist the Department, if need be.  I will continue to seek clarity about the federal employment situation going forward for our federal employees in the Fifth District,” concluded Lankford. 

“On behalf of FAA and contract tower employees in Oklahoma’s Fifth District, I was glad that Secretary LaHood utilized the funding flexibility Congress reaffirmed in H.R. 1765 last month to end FAA employee furloughs and ensure contract towers like Wiley Post stay open across the country,” said Lankford.

“Air travel is critical to our nation’s infrastructure, and the services the FAA provides are necessary to keep our country moving safely and efficiently. We must reduce federal spending, and this is a prime example of how all areas of our government can implement cuts to waste, not workers. While cuts to the FAA Academy, one of my district’s largest employers, are still in place, I look forward to working with Secretary LaHood in any way possible to maintain full operation at this important asset to our FAA workers across the country,” concluded Lankford.

For a link to the FAA’s announcement, click here.

]]> http://mccarvillereport.com/archives/12912/feed 0 http://mccarvillereport.com/archives/12885 http://mccarvillereport.com/archives/12885#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 10:21:04 +0000 mikes1voice http://mccarvillereport.com/?p=12885 Politico

The debate over gun control is coming back to the Senate earlier than expected.

The Senate agreed on Tuesday evening to vote Wednesday afternoon on a pair of firearms-related amendments to the Water Resources Development Act filed by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.)

“I don’t quite get why we’re voting on guns, but that’s the Republicans’ desire,” said the water bill’s floor manager, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

One amendment would repeal a gun prohibition on land under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers. The other would require annual reports from federal agencies on ammunition and gun purchases as well as firearm thefts, excepting some national security arms of government.

A 2009 law repealed the gun ban in national parks and National Wildlife Refuge lands, but the corps has said it does not apply to corps projects. The corps manages 11.7 million acres, including hundreds of recreation areas and lakes. Coburn’s amendment would direct the corps to follow state gun laws on corps-managed land.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/tom-coburn-gun-amendments-water-bill-91032.html#ixzz2Sh9p3LNE

“Let’s make sure that your audience out there is aware, Aaron, that our president, Obama, has been doing everything he could to stop the private ownership of guns in America,” Inhofe said. “You know that, everyone knows that. And yet he’s been voted down in a big way by a large majority. And so my feeling is that he’s doing this to buy up [ammunition] so that we can’t buy: Honest, law-abiding citizens here in the United States, like my son, can’t even buy ammunition because government is purchasing so much.”

Congressman Markwayne Mullin announced today the hiring of Ashley Kehl as his new communications director.

“We look forward to having Ashley on the team as she brings her talent and expertise to Oklahoma’s 2^nd Congressional District,” said Mullin.

“Ashley is a dedicated public servant who has served our state in a variety of capacities, making her an invaluable addition to our staff.”

Kehl most recently served as Director of Communications for Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, after managing his successful campaign for the office. Prior to serving in a statewide office, Kehl worked as Leadership Media Assistant for former Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, as well as a field representative for Senate races in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles.

Kehl is a graduate of Cordell High School and earned a Communications degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She is also an alum of the American Council of Young Political Leaders.

On the Mullin communications team, Kehl replaces Tim Ross, who left to pursue other opportunities. Kehl will work in Mullin’s DC office. District Press Secretary Angie Gallant continues to work in Mullin’s Muskogee office.