LATHAM SPONSORS BILL TO GIVE NATIONAL GUARD SEAT ON JOINT CHIEFS

Tom Latham

LEGISLATION GIVES NATIONAL GUARD DUE RECOGNITION AND REPRESENTATION

Washington, Nov 16 – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham announced on Wednesday that he is jointly sponsoring legislation to give the National Guard an official and permanent representative on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Joint Chiefs of Staff advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on all military matters.

The legislation, which had not yet been assigned a bill number, would make the chief of the National Guard Bureau a member of the Joint Chiefs, which would give the National Guard a long-sought stronger voice when the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider critical defense and homeland security issues.

Congressman Latham said the change would enhance the ability of the National Guard to carry out its state and federal missions.

“Since 2001, our country has relied on the National Guard like never before to protect our country,” Congressman Latham said. “Just this year, we’ve seen 2,800 members of the Iowa National Guard return from deployments in Afghanistan. The National Guard deserves to have a voice in national defense and homeland security discussions at the highest levels, and that means giving the Guard a permanent position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

The House of Representatives previously has passed legislation to add a National Guard representative to the Joint Chiefs, but the provision was stripped out of larger legislation and never became law. That prompted Congressman Latham to join in sponsoring the standalone legislation introduced Wednesday.

“Nothing is more important to me than ensuring that the men and women of our armed forces are given the respect they deserve and the best treatment we can provide,” Congressman Latham said. “America’s Guard and Reserve forces have played an increasingly central role in providing for our national defense, and I’m proud to support this effort to give the National Guard its due recognition and representation among the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”