Vt.’s Gen. Dubie And Guard Leaders
From Across The Nation
Convene On Capitol Hill
To Endorse Leahy’s Guard Empowerment Bill

WASHINGTON (Wednesday, May 10) -- Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) was joined Wednesday by Vermont Adjutant General Michael Dubie and other National Guard leaders from across the country on Capitol Hill in Washington to support the National Guard Empowerment Act, a bill co-authored by Leahy to empower the Guard within the Pentagon’s decision making structure.

"Today's National Guard is a 21st Century force hobbled by 19^th Century links to the Pentagon's decision making structure," said Leahy.  "This stepchild status lets the Guard down in key decisions on staffing, budgeting, and mission readiness.  It's time to clear away some of those bureaucratic cobwebs."

It was Gen. Dubie’s first visit to Washington since he took the helm of Vermont’s National Guard on April 2.  He was joined by two dozen fellow Adjutant Generals from across the country and leaders from the National Guard Association and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard at a news conference outside the Capitol Building to support the bill.  The legislation will give the National Guard a place on the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the top of the Pentagon’s military chain of command.

Leahy introduced the legislation last month with Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.).  Leahy and Bond are the co-chairs of the Senate National Guard Caucus.  Last year, Leahy and Bond led successful efforts in Congress that boosted funds for the Guard by about $1 billion to help address depleted equipment stockpiles the Guard has suffered through prolonged deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the wake of the Guard’s remedial efforts in the Gulf States after two deadly hurricanes.

The legislation, the National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act (S. 2658) will:

• Give the Guard more muscle within the Pentagon by elevating the Chief of the National Guard to a four-star position and adding the Chief to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• Give the National Guard Bureau the ability to research, validate and procure equipment essential to its mission.
• Allow the National Guard Bureau to establish more formal relationships with the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• Direct that the Deputy Commander of U.S. Northern Command be a member of the National Guard to ensure that planning at NORCOM better encompasses the interests of the National Guard and the states.

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