Rehberg Announces Additional Bipartisan "Defending our Defenders" Listening Session Participants

Press Release

Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced eight other speakers will participate in his "Defending our Defenders" Listening Session in Great Falls on Monday, July 16. The event also features special guest Congressman Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Committee on Armed Services.

"The fight over defense spending cuts might be happening in Washington, D.C., but it's the local defenders and the local economies that are on the front lines," said Rehberg. "This isn't about politics or party, it's about defending our defenders, and I appreciate the bipartisan participation in this important discussion."

The "Defending our Defenders" town hall series addresses automatic defense spending cuts called sequestration, which will threaten both Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard. The meeting, which is open to the public and will feature a moderated open-mic, will be held in Heritage Hall at the MSU College of Technology in Great Falls at 9 am on Monday, July 16.

The following individuals, listed alphabetically, will contribute to Monday's "Defending our Defenders" listening session.

Webb Brown -- Executive Director, Montana Chamber of Commerce.
Steven Bucci, Ph.D. -- Senior Research Fellow for Defense and Homeland Security, Heritage Foundation.
Rob Cook -- Managing Partner, Intercontinental Truck Body (ITB), State Representative.
Roger Hagen -- Montana National Guard (CMSgt-retired), President of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard.
John Kramarich -- CEO, Waterjet Extreme Technologies
Bill Salina -- Cascade County Commissioner (District 2).
Tom Spika -- Owner, Spika Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.
Michael Winters -- Mayor of Great Falls

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