May 09, 2025

Duckworth Presses Under Secretary of the Army Nominee about Army Restructuring Plans and Effects on Rock Island Arsenal

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week pressed Michael Obadal, nominee for Under Secretary of the Army about Army transformation plans, securing a commitment from Mr. Obadal that—if confirmed—he would work with her on any changes, especially those that could affect critical jobs and operations across our sustainment and supply enterprise, including those at Rock Island Arsenal. Video of Duckworth’s remarks can be found on her YouTube.

“It’s no secret that I am deeply committed to the Army and its future. I support Army modernization, but we must balance modernization with readiness today,” Duckworth said.

During her questioning, Duckworth highlighted her specific concerns regarding cuts in Army transformation that could potentially impact vital logistics, sustainment and medical evacuation enterprises as well as equipment manufacturing operations supported by RIA.

“I am concerned about the impacts of some proposed cuts to the Joint Force’s sustainment and supply enterprise,” Duckworth said. “I worry how the proposed ‘integration’ of Joint Munitions Command and Army Sustainment Command may impact their two critical mission sets, impacting our ability to manage the complex ecosystem required to deliver munitions to warfighters both for the Army and the Joint Force. Also, as the Army considers replacing the ‘Humvee’, I urge the Army to consider impacts to medical evacuation capabilities since the ‘Humvee’ serves as the Army’s ambulances.”

Following Duckworth’s questioning, Mr. Obadal said that, if confirmed, he looked forward to working together on these issues. 

Duckworth has been a fierce advocate working to protect and boost manufacturing at the Arsenal. In March, Duckworth joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), in introducing the bipartisan Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act to boost workload at U.S. Army arsenals, including Rock Island Arsenal. The bill would incentivize private industry to partner with arsenals by giving preference to public-private partnerships in Army contracting.