Friday, August 14, 2009
Governors from both parties have expressed opposition to the Department of Defense becoming involved in responses to domestic disasters. The Pentagon wants the Secretary of Defense to have the authority to command National Guard and U.S. military units that are dispatched to help with natural or man-made disasters, including acts of terrorism. This change would conflict with current law that gives governors the authority to command any Guard or military units operating in their states to assist with disasters or attacks.
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas (R), chairman of the National Governors Association, and Governor Joe Manchin (D) of West Virginia, NGA’s vice chairman, told the Pentagon in a letter, “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 reminded Defense Department officials of the lessons learned from Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina about the need for having “clear chains of command to avoid duplication of effort and to ensure the most effective use of response resources.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Governors Object to Pentagon Disaster Proposal (CQ Politics)
Governors Oppose DoD Emergency Powers (by Reid Wilson, The Hill)
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