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Supporting the National Guard

What does the National Guard do?
The members of our National Guard aren’t ‘weekend warriors. They’re indispensable citizen-soldiers, airmen and airwomen who serve their country full-time when needed, and in return, I expect our country to fully support their needs.

In addition to representing all 50 states, Guam , Puerto Rico , the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia , the National Guard’s contributions include:

During one phase of the war, nearly half of the U.S. combat forces in Iraq were Army National Guard soldiers;
90 percent of the troops responding to Hurricane Katrina were National Guard members;
And National Guard personnel currently serve in Afghanistan , Bosnia , Kosovo and over 40 other countries.

What is Ben Nelson doing to help?
To improve national security, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson issued a resolution supporting the National Guard and requesting that the Department of Defense seek input from senators and governors when deciding future changes to the National Guard.

The National Guard is a unique part of the United States’ defense because Guard troops represent both their home state and country. Yet representatives on the state level, such as senators and governors, are not invited to the decision process that affects the National Guard members of their state. This resolution will help coordinate a group effort to ensure support for the Guard and security for the American people.

Last November, Senator Nelson and 41 other senators from both political parties sent President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld a letter urging them to fully fund the National Guard. And in January 2006, Senator Nelson and Major General Roger L. Lempke met with media to bring attention to the problem of equipment shortages.

Nebraska National Guard Shortages
Figures provided to Senator Nelson by the Nebraska National Guard show a total shortfall in Nebraska of 1,742 pieces of equipment that would cost nearly $35 million to replace. The figures include a Nebraska shortfall of 181 Humvees, 41 rough terrain trucks, 120 over-the-road tractors, 15 wreckers, 464 semi trailers, 411 pieces of communication equipment, and 510 weapon mounts for trucks.

More Information
   Audio File
   Bill Text
   Floor Statement
   Press Release

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“Our National Guard members deserve to be as prepared and protected as possible. ”

– Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson