In the age of massive budget deficit spending and increased scrutiny in the federal budget, The New York Times profiles one of the most powerful members of the Senate, Senator Daniel K. Inouye — Chairman of the Appropriations Committee — and his effort to help cut spending, especially military spending. Inouye has an outstanding military record, but apparently has a mixed record of controlling military spending as well as various funding various “pork” projects, as with any senator given his seniority:
“Elected to Congress in 1959, two years before President Obama was born, Mr. Inouye is known as a war hero and civil rights icon. While other Japanese-Americans were in internment camps, he lost his arm leading an Army unit of Japanese-Americans in World War II. Honoring that legacy is one of many pet causes to which he has doled out federal money, including in one case to a group he helps oversee. In 2000 he inserted into the annual defense bill $20 million for a project dedicated to the sacrifices of soldiers like himself at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, where he was longtime chairman of the board of governors. He capitalized on his official power to help finance the project in other ways as well. He helped draw donations from military contractors with big interests before his committee.”
Senator Inouye sits on the commerce committee, especially of note as Inouye’s son is also a a lobbyist for several entertainment and communications companies that lobby the senators. As Secretary of Defense Gates has called on cutting traditionally large and expensive Cold War type weapon systems, senators are beseeching Inouye to save such weapons and related defense jobs in their states. Best of luck to Senator Inouye on trying to balance his political interests with the fiscal realities of today.
(Image source: The New York Times)
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