Migden introduces legislation
opposing overextension of National Guard in Iraq

California Senator Carole Migden
Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

From the office of California Senator Carole Migden

June 5, 2007

SACRAMENTO — State Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco/Marin/Sonoma Counties) announced today that she has introduced legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 10, urging Congress to enact legislation to stop the overextension of the National Guard in Iraq in order to better protect the citizens of California in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist event at home. Migden’s legislation is supported by the Progressive States Network.

“An early fire season is already raging in California as our citizens are left vulnerable to all manner of fire, floods and earthquakes due to the loss of our National Guard troops and equipment to the war in Iraq,” said Migden. “I am concerned about the lives that may be put in jeopardy if this untenable state of affairs is allowed to continue.”

The text of Migden’s Senate Joint Resolution 10 can be found below:

Senate Joint Resolution 10 by Senator Migden On the Overextension of National Guard

WHEREAS, The war in Iraq has decreased the capacity of the National Guard to respond to crisis at home; and

WHEREAS, The recent tornado that tragically devastated Greensburg, Kansas, which took lives and swept away an entire community, was worsened by the inability of the Kansas National Guard to respond as quickly and fully due to the lack of critical equipment and troopsthat have been deployed to Iraq; and

WHEREAS, In California, wildfires have already begun raging even before the start of a fire season that is predicted to be unusually harsh; and

WHEREAS, The National Guard believes equipment shortages due to the war in Iraq may slow down help needed in the event of a major fire, flood, earthquake, or terrorist attack; and

WHEREAS, In California, the threat of wildfire, flood, and earthquake, along with a slow and under equipped response from the National Guard, may lead to the loss of lives and a dangerously slow recovery; and

WHEREAS, A report issued by the Government Accountability Office in January found that states have only 50 percent of their authorized trucks, generators, radios, and medical gear available for domestic use; and

WHEREAS, The federal stop-loss policies, along with the physical and mental toll of extended service overseas, have undermined recruiting and retention of skilled members needed for an effective National Guard force; and

WHEREAS, The National Guard units of some states have been deployed for an unprecedented second tour in Iraq, despite the Pentagon's rules that National Guard soldiers be deployed only once every five years; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California respectfully urge the President and the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that will prevent the overextension of the National Guard overseas in order to protect the citizens of California; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.

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