Governors Oppose DoD Emergency Powers

[Purveyor]

Source: The Hill

By Reid Wilson

08/10/09 11:42 AM

A bipartisan pair of governors is opposing a new Defense Department proposal to handle natural and terrorism-related disasters, contending that a murky chain of command could lead to more problems than solutions.

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas (R), chairman of the National Governors Association, and vice chairman Gov. Joe Manchin (D) of West Virginia penned a letter opposing the Pentagon proposal they said would hinder a state's effort to respond to a disaster.

Current law gives governors control over National Guard forces in their own states as well as any other Guard units and Defense Department personnel imported from other states.

The letter comes as the Pentagon proposes a legislative fix that would give the Secretary of Defense the authority to assist in response to domestic disasters and, consequently, control over units stationed in an impacted state.

"We are concerned that the legislative proposal you discuss in your letter would invite confusion on critical command and control issues, complicate interagency planning, establish stove-piped response efforts, and interfere with governors’ constitutional responsibilities to ensure the safety and security of their citizens," Douglas and Manchin wrote to Paul Stockton, assistant secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs.

Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/governors-oppose-dod-emergency-powers-2009-08-10.html

[mopinko]

1. oh, sure, now they are opposed

again.

[WriteDown]

2. This is idiocy..

again.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Any type of military personnel utilize for civilian purposes should be under control of Governor

With that in mind those military personnel should be limited to National Guards only.

It is much easier for the citizens to lay the blame on the Governor if they screw up.

[Sanity Claws]

4. Good

I can't believe the DoD is pushing this. Didn't it hear that the Bushies are gone?

[pscot]

5. The whole damn homeland security apparatus

needs to be dismantled. It's the basis for a police state.

[FLAprogressive]

6. Good.