VoteVets Endorses Sowers

VoteVets.org has endorsed Tommy Sowers in his bid for Congress in the 8th Congressional District.

VoteVets.org's Political Action Committee says its already helped raise $6,000 for Sowers' challenge to Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.

"Tommy Sowers is a rare breed – an elite soldier and accomplished scholar,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org PAC. “His entire life can be summed up in two words: Hard Work. From his military career which took him all the way to special forces and leading a team of Green Berets, to going to the London School of Economics on scholarship and then teaching at West Point, Tommy has simply never rested. That quality will make him an exemplary leader in Congress, and an incredible servant for his constituents," Soltz added.

Soltz also said Sowers' "real war experience in Iraq will bring another credible voice to the important debate we are having about where and when to deploy troops."

Read the entire release HERE.

Kinder: At Least 1 Missourian Injured In Shootings

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder said at least one Missourian has been injured in the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas Thursday.

"Today, our nation mourns for those who have lost their lives in this senseless act of violence. At this hour, we know at least one Missourian, Keara Bono, 21, of Independence, was injured in the shootings," Kinder said in a statement.

"I offer my thoughts and prayers to Keara and her family, and to families of those who are dead and wounded," he said.

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The U.S. Army says at least 12 people have been killed and 31 wounded on the central Texas Army post. The shooter, Army Major Malik Nadal Hasan was killed. Reports say he was a mental health professional who recently received a poor review. Two other suspects have been apprehended.They also are U-S soldiers.

PLUS: Families in the Ozarks endure tense moments waiting to hear from soldiers stationed at Ft. Hood. For Ky3 News @ 10 coverage, click HERE.

McCaskill Probes Army Nominee on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

During his confirmation hearing for Secretary of the Army Thursday, Sen. Claire McCaskill asked Republican John McHugh about his views on the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

The Advocate notes McCaskill said, "I think it’s important we get that on the record at this juncture."

John McHugh said the military's gay ban was "a serious issue" that he has not addressed since it was implemented in 1993. "The reality is the president has made very clear, and I have not talked to the president directly, but I have talked to high officials in the administration, and I have no doubt the president is going to press forward with his intent to change that policy -- to whatever degree remains to be seen. I think he would like a full reversal," he said.

"It’s also without question that Secretary Gates has begun a process of what he describes as ‘softening’ that policy; whatever that may mean remains to be seen," McHugh said of the Defense Department's review of how the policy is currently being implemented.

Just last week, McCaskill took some heat from gay groups about a comment she made on why she voted against expanding a conceal and carry law.

Wisdom Will Continue Campaign, Despite Heading Overseas

7th District Congressional candidate Jeff Wisdom announced Thursday that he will continue his campaign despite his obligation to fufill a Naval Reserve training mission that will take him overseas for the next month.

Wisdom will soon head to Little Rock, Arkansas and then overseas to the Middle East for three to four weeks of scheduled training as part of the Naval Reserve.

"I'm looking forward to carrying out my responsibilities as a Navy Reservist," Wisdom said at a sparsely attended news conference. "Our campaign will go on."

*WATCH HIS COMMENTS ABOVE*

ALSO: LAMBASTES focus on "endorsements, fundraising & consultants."

"It begs the question that if our focus is still on money, who's got what endorsements, who's hired what consultants, how can we expect different results in Washington, D.C," Wisdom said, making a point worth considering.

Skelton Promises Hearings on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

The Hill reports that House Armed Services Committee Chair Ike Skelton has agreed to hold hearings on the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding gays in the military.

Skelton's decision was reportedly, in part, based on pressure from fellow Democrats.

"On Thursday, freshman Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) challenged and urged House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton to take action on already existing legislation—the Military Readiness Enhancement Act—which repeals the ban," wrote The Hill. "As a consequence, Skelton -- who played a major role in crafting Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” -- promised to hold hearings to weigh the implications of a repeal."

BUT: Some Senators, like Michigan's Carl Levin believe it will take White House leadership to overturn the ban.

AND: Service members and veterans marched to the White House on Saturday in order to protest the law that bans openly gay people from serving in the military.

Skelton Accuses GOP of Playing Politics with Military Benefits

"We do not play games"

House Armed Services Committee Chair Ike Skelton accused Republican supporters of "playing politics" with an amendment for additional military benefits without offering a way to pay for them.

"In our committee, we do not play games," Skelton said. "We do not accept legislation that we cannot pay for ourselves, and we don’t try and gain political points by raising the hopes of the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country."

Skelton's committee blocked GOP efforts to provide a big boost in retiree and survivor benefits because there was no way of covering the costs over the next 10 years, according to the NavyTimes.

"The authors of this amendment know these rules and choose to ignore them, hoping no one would notice their lack of sincerity at truly solving the problem . . .If you have a way to pay for it, tell us," he said, acknowledging that it is a difficult issue.

Skelton: Obama May Need To Use Veto Threat

Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton suggested Monday that President Obama may have to use a veto threat to preserve his plan to use one Air Force tanker supplier -- as opposed to multiple, which some House Democrats support.

"That is probably where we'll start and end," Rep. Ike Skelton, a Missouri Democrat, said in reply to a question about moves in Congress that would guarantee Air Force purchases from both rival tanker suppliers -- Boeing Co and a team of Northrop Grumman Corp and Europe's EADS, reports REUTERS.

The powerful Pennsylvania Rep. Jack Murtha has already signaled he favors a dual-source strategy in dealing with the purchase of new tankers. But Defense Secretary Robert Gates favors a winner-take-all competition to award the contract.

Skelton declined to discuss his personal stance on dividing the tanker buy.

But the veteran mid-Missouri Congressman dispensed this advice: "Very seldom is a veto overridden," he said, referring to whether the dual-source idea gains further traction in Congress. "I think that's what you should look for."

Dems Want To Fill In Military Pay Gap

A Columbia House Democrat has filed legislation that would pay state employees the difference between their state and military pay when they are called up for prolonged duty.

Rep. Stephen Webber is a Marine who has served two tours in Iraq. "Missouri currently has an unfair system under which some state workers get paid while on active duty but most don’t. We must make the system more equitable so that we don’t discourage state employees from military service," Webber said.

House Minority Leader Paul LeVota has filed a bill that would provide private businesses with a tax credit for continuing to pay full salary and benefits to employees called to active duty.

Last year, a similar measure made it out of committee, but was not debated on the House floor.

Another House Democrat filed a couple of bills dealing with court rights of military personnel and restricting payday lending businesses.

Skelton Lays Out Top 10 Defense Challenges For Obama

SKELTON TALKS CHALLENGES, CONCERNS

"I have deep concerns about the readiness crisis facing the Army and, to a lesser extent, the Marine Corps. Congress must ensure America’s Armed Services are able to respond not only to today’s threats, but also to new and emerging threats that may arise around the world," Rep. Ike Skelton told the West Side Star newspaper in Laurie, Mo.

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In the interview, the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee also listed the top 10 defense challenges facing the Obama administration:

1. Develop a Clear Strategy to Guide National Security Policy

2. Restore America’s Credibility in the World

3. Refocus our Efforts on Afghanistan

4. Responsibly Redeploy from Iraq

READ THE REST OF THE LIST HERE

McCaskill Wants Review of Soldier Counseling Program

"This is about grabbing the military and shaking them."

From USA Today:

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The number of soldiers seeking help for substance abuse has climbed 25% in the past five years, but the Army's counseling program has remained significantly understaffed and struggling to meet the demand, according to Army records.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., is demanding a review of the program after her staff investigated allegations that more than 150 troops at the installation here were denied substance abuse counseling because of a staff shortage.

"If it was that bad at Fort Leonard Wood, it very well could be an Army-wide problem," McCaskill said Wednesday, urging aggressive hiring efforts. "This is about grabbing the military and shaking them and saying, 'Hey, you've got to focus (on this).' "

CAGW Targets Skelton on Military Pork

The Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today released its preliminary analysis of the 2009 Military Construction/Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, and its singling out Rep. Ike Skelton.

According to CAGW, the report included 172 projects worth $1.2 billion, compared to 191 projects worth the same amount in fiscal 2008. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) racked up $29.9 million in pork. House Armed Service Committee Chariman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) led all representatives with three projects totaling $15.1 million. Proclaims CAGW: "Although the number of earmarks decreased in this most recent edition of the bill, the amount of wasted money has not."

Skelton: NATO Must Unite Against Russian Invasion

The House Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, says NATO allies must unite with the United States against the Russian invasion of Georgia. The Missouri Congressman also says the U.S. military is stretched too thin to contemplate military action and warns this won't be Russia's last encroachment on its neighbors.

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"The question arises is what if they had already been a part of NATO? Western Europe and the United States would have been obliged to come to its defense," Skelton asked.