By GARRICK FELDMAN
Leader executive editor
Rep. Tim Griffin, a deficit hawk who was the featured speaker at Thursday’s Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce dinner, says that despite all the talk to cut the federal budget, he wants to protect the C-130 program and see it grow.
He told chamber members that he has revived a long-dormant C-130 caucus in Congress, which he expects to chair. The caucus will include other members of Congress who have C-130s in their districts and will press for more planes and upgrades.
“We should be in a good position to keep an eye out for C-130s,” said Griffin, an Army reservist. “They’re not only a great economic benefit, but they play a critical role in our national security.”
He said, “They move people in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan,” reducing the number of trucks on the roads, where bombs have killed hundreds of Americans.
He said he flew on C-130s when he was in Iraq and felt safe in them even when one of the engines failed.
Griffin, who served in Iraq as a military lawyer, is a member of the House Armed Services, Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees.
He also serves on the Sea Power and Projection Forces Subcommittee, which includes oversight of the C-130s.
Griffin said he sleeps in his office and commutes home every week.
A former White House aide to Karl Rove, who helped him become interim U.S. attorney in Arkansas, Griffin also held senior positions at the Republican National Committee.
Griffin is on the Majority Whip team, marshaling votes for Republican legislation.
