WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, participated in a committee hearing yesterday to question officials from the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security about the Administration’s plan to send as many as 6,000 National Guard members to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Senator Collins expressed her concern that some Governors might be reluctant to send National Guard troops to the border when they are already stretched thin by overseas deployments, and could be needed to provide support during times of state emergencies.
In addition, Senator Collins asked General Steven Blum, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, whether he believes the President’s plan to deploy National Guard troops for two to three weeks at a time as part of their annual training requirement might complicate the task of preparing them for their primary roles of responding to natural and other disasters and conducting combat missions overseas. General Blum assured Senator Collins that troops deployed to the border will continue to train in appropriate areas that will allow them to fulfill their mission.
“While I remain concerned about adding another burden to the missions of our National Guard, I am pleased to hear that the Guard is working closely with our nation’s Governors and that Guard members who might be deployed to the border will participate in exercises that complement their current mission and supplement their required skills,” said Senator Collins. “However, I continue to believe that it is imperative that Customs and Border Patrol be adequately staffed with agents who can perform the important task of securing our nation’s border.”
In addition to Lieutenant General Blum, witnesses who testified before the Senate Armed Service Committee today included The Honorable Paul McHale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense; Lieutenant General James Conway, USMC, Director of Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff; and Chief David Aguilar, Office of Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.