Des Moines Sun

Senator Chuck Grassley, along with other lawmakers from the Quad Cities, has reached out to U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll seeking clarity on potential changes at the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA). The group, which includes Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Eric Sorensen, is pressing for a briefing to discuss possible command and personnel shifts at RIA.

In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted discrepancies between information provided by Army leadership to Congress and what they have heard from the RIA community. They are particularly concerned about reports indicating that approximately 150 positions within Joint Munitions Command headquarters and 400 positions across the Arsenal may be eliminated as part of ongoing transformation initiatives.

The delegation emphasized RIA's importance in achieving the Army's objectives related to warfighting capabilities. They acknowledged the need for efficiency but expressed a desire for evidence justifying any conclusions about inefficiencies at RIA.

Grassley has been an advocate for Rock Island Arsenal through various legislative efforts aimed at sustaining its workload. He, along with other signatories, introduced the Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act in March to support this goal.

The letter also addressed previous communication with Secretary Driscoll, where lawmakers requested transparency regarding reorganization plans outlined in an April memorandum. Despite these requests, a dedicated briefing has not yet been provided.

Lawmakers reiterated their request for a comprehensive briefing on implementation plans affecting workforce and mission impacts at RIA. They seek further understanding of programs deemed obsolete by the Army as cited in previous responses from the Department of the Army.

The correspondence concluded with an expression of hope that collaborative efforts will lead to improved operations and potentially more jobs at RIA while maintaining its contribution to national defense objectives.