Domestic Policy

President Bush Meets Governors And Talks

February 28, 2006 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

President Bush thanked the nation’s governors Monday for their support of National Guard troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the compliments were not returned in kind. Many of the Governors in attendance are the same ones who are warning their fellow politicians that the proposed Bush budget plans will cut their states Guard strength and leave most states virtually helpless to respond to homegrown emergencies, or natural disasters. Is this what we can expect? Our guard is in Iraq while we risk potential danger at home? Who is looking out for our best interests? If they are our guard why aren’t they protecting us first? Why should we be in jeopardy while other countries utilize their service? How much more will this war take from us?

The governors in attendance at the winter meeting of the National Governors Association have openly stated that they came to the meeting hoping to hear answers to their concerns during a private meeting they were to have with President Bush, the governors were also set to meet with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

Governors have been united in their stance that the Bush Administration cannot reduce spending for the National Guard; this has been a bi-partisan outcry. The governors meeting with Donald Rumsfeld hoped to further push the issue of their concerns.

Reportedly, the Bush 2007 budget submission would sustain a state-controlled National Guard of about 333,000 citizen soldiers, not the 350,000 soldiers authorized by Congress. The Bush budget also proposes to pay for 188,000 Army Reserve troops, not the 205,000 authorized by Congress.

Previously all 50 governors signed onto a document sent to President Bush earlier this month that opposed any cuts to the Guard, the governors have stuck together on this issue regardless of political affiliation.

The governors have tried to point out to the President just how critical the Guard was in helping resolve the issues brought about by the hurricane disaster in New Orleans.

The governors also wanted answers on Medicaid, Welfare, and Illegal Immigration.

They may have been all smiles for the camera but once they were behind closed doors they supposedly let it fly. We will see if they attained any noticeable results.

Bush Meets Governors

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