Congressman Stupak learns secret stuff about his enemies

NEWS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN BART STUPAK

1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

******************** Stupak partakes in 'knowing the enemy' war game

WASHINGTON - Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) participated this week in a strategic planning forum hosted by the National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, D.C.

The simulation, entitled "Knowing the Enemy," involved policymakers from the legislative and executive branches of government, as well as military officials.

"The first responsibility of our government is providing security for Americans," Stupak said. "The National Defense University exercises help members of Congress, Department of Defense officials and other policymakers better understand how the policies we implement affect the ability of our military and first responders to do their jobs during crises."

The "Knowing the Enemy" simulation was held as part of the NDU's Strategic Policy Forum.

Stupak said the forum helps educate government officials on the complexities of decision-making during homeland security and international crises.

While the specifics of the war game are classified, Stupak said that the "Knowing the Enemy" session was particularly timely as it focused on Iran. "These are uncertain and volatile times for the Middle East, the U.S. and the world," Stupak noted. "With the escalating conflict between Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah and Hamas and the deteriorating situation in Iraq, it is important that members of Congress understand the challenges these crises bring about."

Stupak participated in a previous Strategic Policy Forum session, which was entitled "Operation Scarlet Shield" and was held in February of 2005.

The Scarlet Shield session examined the strategic implications of a public health crisis resulting from a large-scale bioterror attack and considered the full range of policy options to both prepare for and respond to the attack.

As the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Stupak has been very involved in a variety of homeland security issues.

Stupak helped lead hearings examining cyber security breaches at the Department of Energy, hospital disaster preparedness, the All-Hazards Warning System, and the government's preparation for an avian flu outbreak.

As a former member of law enforcement, Stupak has taken a lead role in working to ensure adequate communications capabilities for first responders.

Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed an amendment authored by Stupak that would improve communications for port security.

Stupak is also the author of legislation that would set aside revenue from telecommunications spectrum auctions to fund first responders' communications interoperability.

That legislation served as a model for measures that were eventually enacted into law.

******************