Hawkeye Reporter

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has led a group of lawmakers from the Quad Cities in pressing the U.S. Army for more information regarding potential changes at Rock Island Arsenal (RIA). The bipartisan group, which includes Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), as well as Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), sent a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll requesting a briefing on possible command and personnel adjustments at RIA.

The delegation first asked for a dedicated briefing in April but has not yet received one. In their recent communication, the lawmakers highlighted differences between what Army leadership has reported to Congress and what they have heard from the RIA community.

“The details you or Army leadership have reported to Congress differ from those shared with us from the RIA community. As the Army continues to implement transformation initiatives, we hear about the personnel impacts, such as roughly 150 positions within [Joint Munitions Command] headquarters, and 400 positions Arsenal wide that will be eliminated once the initiative is complete. We request a full briefing on the implementation plans, including workforce and mission impacts, and proposed timelines,” the lawmakers said.

They also emphasized RIA’s ongoing role in supporting Army objectives.

“While we can appreciate and recognize the need to eliminate inefficiencies and support our national defense objectives, which may include reductions in workforce, we would like to understand the obsolete programs that the Army finds are present at RIA … We find that RIA is a highly efficient installation, as demonstrated by the dedicated workforce and capabilities embedded there. Contradictory conclusions should be justified by evidence,” they continued.

Grassley has previously supported Rock Island Arsenal through legislation aimed at expanding manufacturing opportunities for Army arsenals. He has also worked on appropriations measures and annual defense bills designed to ensure RIA’s long-term viability. Alongside other signatories of this latest letter, Grassley introduced the Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act in March with an aim to increase workload at facilities like Rock Island Arsenal.

In their letter to Secretary Driscoll, members of Congress called for transparency as the Department of Defense moves forward with its reorganization plans under an April 30 memorandum related to Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform. They reiterated their request for clear communication regarding any changes affecting staff or operations at RIA.

“It is encouraging to know that you and the Army are willing to work to improve the workload and operations at RIA, which may lead to additional jobs. The RIA community has contributed significantly to the objectives of the Army to deliver warfighting capabilities, and we have no doubt that it will continue to do so in the future. We look forward to hearing from you on the Army’s course of action for RIA and working with you increase the workload at RIA. Thank you for your continued dedication to our soldiers and to Army readiness,” they wrote.