Usually considered a “dove” on Pentagon spending, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin quickly becomes a “hawk” when it comes to research dollars for Iowa. The democrat says he’s secured three-million dollars for a defense project underway in Ames on the substance called Terfenol-D.The high-tech material will be used in Navy sonar systems and in future weapons systems. Harkin says it’s hoped the research done on Terfenol-D in central Iowa will help reduce expenses.In the private sector, Harkin says there’s no question the high-tech material Terfenol-D will prove useful for creating high-paying jobs.A U-S Senate committee has approved spending 175-million dollars on a breast cancer research program — at the request of Senator Harkin. Harkin says he’s pushed for the funding each year since 1992 and believes there is plenty to show for it. He says we’re getting earlier detection and have more knowledge on how the disease spreads.Harkin says there is no “silver bullet” yet which can prevent or cure breast cancer, but progress is being made.Harkin’s two sisters died from breast cancer at an early age.
