https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1493718/pentagon-officials-describe-syria-strikes-hope-assad-gets-message/
WASHINGTON, April 14, 2018 —
The Syrian regime killed at least 45 people and sickened hundreds of others in a chemical weapons attack on Douma, Syria, April 7, and on April 13, U.S., British and French service members launched attacks that severely degraded the Syrian chemical arsenal and sent a message to Syrian leader Bashir Assad to stop using chemical weapons against his own people.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, the Joint Staff director, briefed the press today from the Pentagon on the operation saying it was successful and that there were no allied casualties.
White said the attack on innocent civilians in Douma “demanded a response,” and the allies targeted the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons infrastructure. “We launched these strikes to limit Syria’s ability to use chemical weapons in the future,” she said.
Operation Carefully Planned
The operation was carefully orchestrated and methodically planned to lessen chances of civilian casualties, the spokesperson said. The missiles hit targets during the Syrian pre-dawn hours, and planners, weaponeers and aircrew were careful to ensure little collateral damage. “We successfully hit every target,” White said.
Missiles hit three distinct military chemical weapons targets. “The three facilities are – or more appropriately, were – the fundamental components of the regime’s chemical weapons warfare infrastructure,” McKenzie said.
One target, the Barzah center, housed the regime’s research, development and production center for chemical and biological weapons. Photos taken after the strike show that where once three buildings stood, there is now nothing but rubble.
Strikes also hit a chemical weapons storage facility and a chemical bunker facility. “We selected these targets carefully to minimize the risk to innocent civilians,” the general said.
“We are still conducting a more detailed damage assessment, but initial indications are that we accomplished our military objectives without material interference. I would use three words to describe the operation: Precise, overwhelming and effective,” he said.
Allies Fired 105 Weapons
The allies fired 105 weapons at these targets. The missiles came from British, French and American platforms in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean, McKenzie said.
“All weapons hit their targets close to the designated time on target,” he said. The American ships were: the USS Monterrey, the USS Laboon, the USS Higgins and the submarine USS John Warner. Two B-1 Lancer bombers launched joint air-to-surface stand-off missiles. Support aircraft – tankers, fighters, electronic warfare aircraft and more – also participated.
“None of our aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were successfully engaged by Syrian air defenses,” McKenzie said. “We have no indication that Russian air defenses were employed.”
Syrian response was ineffectual as the Syrians launched surface-to-air missiles on a ballistic trajectory. “Most of the launches occurred after our strike was over,” the general said. “When you shoot iron into the air without guidance, it has to come down somewhere.”
Since the strike, U.S. officials have not seen any military response from actors within Syria. “We remain postured to protect our forces and those of the coalition should anything occur,” the general said.
Senator Murray's Statement on U.S. Missile Strikes in Syria
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after President Trump announced the U.S. and its allies had launched missile strikes in Syria.
“President Assad's use of chemical weapons and attacks on civilians are inexcusable, inhumane, and illegal. While I support the goal of holding President Assad accountable and degrading his ability to use chemical weapons, I have a number of questions and concerns about tonight’s action and the plan moving forward that I am going to want answers to in the days ahead.”
Senator Murray presses Secretary Perry, reminding him of federal government’s legal and moral obligation to clean up Hanford site
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry about the Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget, which includes deep cuts not only to Hanford cleanup operations, but also to research and development being conducted at the Pacific Northwest National Lab, or PNNL. At today’s hearing, Senator Murray asked Secretary Perry specifically about his department’s decisions related to the Waste Treatment Plant, and warned Secretary Perry she could not support any proposals until the Department of Energy provided a thorough review and analysis to Congress, the State of Washington, and the Tri-Cities community. On PNNL, Senator Murray reminded Secretary Perry he himself had called our national labs “crown jewels,” and that the Trump Administration’s budget cuts would cause the loss of thousands of scientists and engineers, a “staggering” loss in knowledge and experience. Senator Murray also repeated calls for the Trump Administration to abandon attempts to sell off or privatize the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) transmission system.
In a statement, Senator Murray said she would keep the pressure on the Administration to reverse course on its proposal to cut investments in Hanford cleanup.
“The President’s proposed cuts to Hanford cleanup are extremely disappointing, especially in the wake of recent events highlighting the hazards that must still be addressed and the risks this cleanup poses to workers, the public, and the environment,” Senator Murray said. “But I refuse to let Hanford workers and the Tri-Cities community be punished because the Trump Administration doesn’t understand or respect the federal government’s obligation to clean up the site. I am confident that Democrats and Republicans alike will again set aside this short-sighted proposal from the President, and then we can get back to the work of making sure Hanford has the resources needed to continue critical cleanup work, meet legal deadlines, and ensure strong worker safety protections at all times.”
Senator Murray has a track record of successfully fighting back against the Trump Administration’s proposed cuts. Last month, after months of negotiations, Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2018 spending bill that added more than $200 million for Hanford cleanup activities for a total of $2.42 billion across the Office of River Protection and Richland Operations budgets, rejecting the White House’s proposed cuts. The spending bill also included a historic $6.3 billion for the Office of Science, and $2.3 billion for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which supports research and development activities at PNNL. In addition, the bill ensured BPA can continue to operate and maintain its transmission assets, which accounts for approximately 75 percent of the system in the Northwest.
Last week Ranking Member Murray and Chairman Alexander announced a discussion draft of bipartisan legislation to address the opioid crisis
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate health committee, delivered opening remarks at a hearing about the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018, which Senator Murray and Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN), unveiled last week.
In her remarks, Senator Murray reflected on how the Committee’s bipartisan focus on listening to those on the frontlines of the opioid crisis helped members craft legislation to address their concerns. She drew a connection between the stories and insights shared by the people she’s heard from—in D.C. and Washington state—and the proposals included in the Committee’s legislation. The discussion draft includes a set of proposals representing ideas on both sides of the aisle. Senator Murray has long been focused on addressing the tragedy of the opioid crisis that has impacted families throughout the nation, meeting with patients, families, and experts across Washington state to learn more about their experiences, and fighting to strengthen the federal government’s response to combating the opioid epidemic.
Full text below of Senator Murray’s remarks:
“Thank you Mr. Chairman, for your bipartisan work throughout this process. And thank you to the witnesses joining us today, I look forward to your testimony.
“Six months ago, we began a series of bipartisan hearings on the opioid crisis. We began asking questions and seeking answers to learn more about its root causes and ripple effects, and what meaningful action we can take to help our families and communities.
“In the course of listening to those most directly facing this crisis, both here and back home in Washington state, I’ve heard so many stories about this challenge: families strained by a loved one’s battle with opioid addiction; parents who lost the children they would do anything for to a disease they felt helpless to do anything against; children separated from parents who are suffering from opioid addiction, and unable to care for them; grandparents, relatives, and others who have stepped up to support a victim’s family.
“And the burden of this crisis isn’t just borne by individuals, or families—but by entire communities. An elementary principal back in Washington told me about the kids at his school who are unable to focus on their studies because of the trauma of their parents’ disease and the teachers who have to face the challenge of supporting these students and addressing their trauma in the classroom. The staff at a hospital in Washington told me how many of the babies they deliver are born to mothers suffering from addiction, including opioid addiction.
“And this committee has also heard from experts in the field who are fighting this epidemic. We’ve heard from community leaders and state officials about the tools they are using, the tools they still need, and the role of data and technology. We’ve heard from agency heads and researchers about the need for new resources and authorities, and the potential for new discoveries to help treat those struggling with addiction. We’ve heard from a journalist, who followed the crisis closely, about how we got here, and how our communities are the frontlines in turning the tide. And we’ve heard from Governors about the lessons they’ve learned in the laboratories of democracy that we can put to use on the national level.
“We have heard about the challenges and opportunities, the successes and failures, the hope and the heartbreak of this crisis. And today, we are responding with strong steps that build on our recent work to address it.
“The bipartisan Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 was drafted with serious attention to the concerns we heard. And it offers some serious solutions to help address them.
“This legislation answers the call for more resources to expand effective treatment programs on the state level by reauthorizing and improving the targeted response grants from the 21st Century Cures Act.
“It answers the call for better tools to diagnose, prevent, and treat pain and addiction by empowering the National Institutes of Health with more flexibility to support high impact research on public health threats, including this opioid epidemic.
“It answers the call for new products and solutions by clarifying the Food and Drug Administration’s authority to require special packaging and safe disposal options, encourage the development and review of non-addictive pain treatments, and keep illicit products from entering our country.
“The legislation addresses the need for better data and technology practices so health providers and pharmacies can spot patterns of potential misuse by expanding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s efforts to support states in improving Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, and encourage better and faster data collection and sharing between states.
“It addresses the need to help our schools and children by developing a taskforce and grants to help support trauma-informed care programs, increasing access to mental health care for children, and supporting state efforts to improve plans of safe care for children born to mothers battling addiction.
“And addresses the need to help our strained behavioral health workforce so that patients can get the care they need, even if they live too far from a doctor’s office, by expanding loan repayment to behavioral health providers who practice in underserved areas, increasing access to behavioral health services in areas hardest hit by the epidemic and facing provider shortages, and authorizing new grants to target the workforce shortages in substance use and mental health treatment.
“It addresses the need to increase access to treatment by allowing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide grants to help providers establish new recovery centers, by allowing health centers to treat addiction patients with innovative telehealth models and technology that can help them serve rural or remote areas, and by building on our work in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to permanently allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe Medication-Assisted Treatment.
“It addresses the need to give those affected by this disease a path forward by providing grants for workforce training to help them get back on their feet.
“And it addresses many other challenges, big and small, that we’ve heard from people across the country working to turn the tide of the opioid epidemic.
“While this legislation will not be the last step we take to respond to this crisis, it is a major step. And I want to thank all of my colleagues both on and off this committee, from both sides of the aisle, for their bipartisan work and their dedication to getting this done.
“I especially want to thank Chairman Alexander for working with me, and for sharing my focus on bringing as many voices as possible to the table so that we could hear their stories, concerns, and needs firsthand. This bill is a testament to the value of listening. And we’re not done listening yet.
“Many of the policies presented here are still works in progress. And we are committed to working together with stakeholders to help make sure we can include as many of the good ideas out there as possible.
“I look forward to hearing what our witnesses today have to add to the conversation as we work to get this important bill to the finish line for families across the country.
In other congressional delegation headlines....
Kilmer Questions Zinke on Drilling, Park Fees, Elwha Water Facility
Today, Representative Derek Kilmer asked Secretary Ryan Zinke about the Trump Administration’s plan to open nearly all of America’s coastal waters to offshore drilling, and the plan to raise visitor fees at some of the nation’s most popular national parks, including Olympic National Park. Kilmer also raised a local issue concerning the Elwha Water Facility.
Kilmer Statement on $5 Per Car National Park Entry Fee Increase
Today, the Department of the Interior announced it would raise entry fees at most National Parks by $5 per car. This is a major reversal of the Administration’s initial plan, which proposed tripling entry fees at the 17 most popular National Parks, including Olympic National Park. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), the original sponsor of the National Park Service Legacy Act made the following statement:
Kilmer to Host Transparency Teletownhall with Special Guest Nick Penniman, CEO of Issue One--WEDNESDAY
On the heels of congressional testimony from Facebook’s founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, US Representative Derek Kilmer will host a teletownhall focused on steps Congress can take to safeguard America’s elections, and shine a light on the murky world of political advertising. The event is Wednesday, April 18 at 6:00 pm PST.
Cantwell Statement On New Zinke Plan To Raise Park Fees
Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-WA) made the following statement regarding Secretary Zinke’s new proposal to raise park fees by five dollars in most parks where fees are charged:
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES FROM THE UN NEWS CENTER & OTHER SOURCES...
In other world news headlines...
UN PRESS RELEASE: While Debating Pros, Cons of Migration at Population and Development Commission, Delegates Share Best Practices, New Approaches to Urban Challenges
International migration was a global and multidimensional phenomenon of economic and social importance, the Commission on Population and Development heard today, as delegates shared ways to improve the management of flows, address key drivers and channel the potential of young people.
UN PRESS RELEASE: Security Council Press Statement on Attack against United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic
‘Time to move from promises to action;’ UN envoy urges Malian parties to peace accord
While Malians must ensure the successful holding of elections this year, their priority should be the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement, a senior United Nations official said Wednesday.
UN human rights experts urge Viet Nam not to stifle dissenting voices
United Nations experts have urged Viet Nam not to crackdown on civil society or stifle dissent, after the authorities jailed several human rights defenders for “conducting activities to overthrow the people’s government” – a charge that carries the possibility of the death sentence or life imprisonment.
Syria: Break impasse in Security Council, avoid situation ‘spiraling out of control’ – UN chief
Amid the risks of the situation in Syria “spiraling out of control,” the United Nations chief has appealed to the five permanent members of the Security Council to break the current deadlock on reported use of chemical weapons in the war-torn country.
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION
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