LT. GOV. WYMAN, COLLEAGUES URGE CAREFUL REVIEW OF NATIONAL GUARD FUNDING CUTS

Lt. Governors Issue Joint Letter to President Obama on 2015 U.S. Army Draft Budget

(HARTFORD, CT)-Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman and 39 colleagues from across the country today sent a letter to President Obama urging thorough and careful review of federal budget cuts to the National Guard. Appearing in the 2015 U.S. Army Draft Budget, some of the cuts would return National Guard spending to pre-2001 levels, which is contrary to state and national security interests.

The lieutenant governors write, "As a unique state-based military force, the National Guard is the only military force that is shared by the states and the federal government. It is a ready, reliable, and essential force that responds to national disasters and emergencies, and is critical to peace and security at home and abroad.

"Across the many and diverse states we represent, the accomplishments of the National Guard are unparalleled in response to flood, wildfire, storm, and serving our nation overseas. We stand together in support to maintain Army Guard operational capabilities."

The funding cuts were discussed at the National Lieutenant Governor's Federal-State Relations Meeting in March and come a day before National Guard Bureau Chief General Frank Grass (pictured above) will offer testimony to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.

In February, following the National Governors Association Winter Meeting, 50 state and territory governors expressed their opposition to the cuts.