Gov. Mike Easley today praised Congress for their strong support of the National Guard’s dual missions of national defense and emergency response with the passage of the Defense Authorization Bill conference committee report. He urged President Bush to quickly sign the bill. The legislation, which overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House on Wednesday and the Senate today, provides critical improvements that clarify governors’ authority over the National Guard so it can respond quickly to domestic emergencies. The legislation also provides a stronger and more effective voice for governors to make sure their National Guard units are well organized, trained, equipped, compensated and supported to accomplish their federal and state missions.

“It is clear the congressional leadership finally listened to the concerns of governors about the efforts by the President to expand his authority over the National Guard, which would have jeopardized the safety and welfare of our citizens in emergencies,” Easley said. “This legislation will make it clear that governors command the Guard units in their states so they can respond and protect residents' lives. The legislation also gives governors and the National Guard a stronger voice at the Pentagon to make sure the Guard is properly equipped to accomplish missions at home and abroad.”

Easley, as the National Governors Association co-leader on National Guard issues, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the federal Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, in support of the reforms included in the conference report.

The legislation will repeal a provision that was quietly enacted at the last minute a year ago, over the objections of governors and others, that gave the president increased authority to federalize National Guard units during emergencies or disasters without consent of a governor. Easley led efforts to repeal this provision, saying it would have severely limited the ability of governors to respond in emergencies to protect the residents of their states.

The legislation will also elevate the chief of the National Guard to the rank of four-star general, making the chief the principal military advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on National Guard matters. In addition, the legislation will create a bipartisan Council of Governors to advise the president on how best to use the National Guard for civil support situations.