Tom Harkin: “the National Guard has a history of superb performance in supporting the needs of law enforcement agencies and community…”

“the National Guard has a history of superb performance in supporting the needs of law enforcement agencies and community antidrug coalitions. Every day the National Guard has nearly 4,000 soldiers and airmen on full-time counter drug duty. Three-hundred and seventy-three in support of the Drug Enforcement Agency [DEA], 625 in support of U.S. Customs, and 3,000 more in support of local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies in every State in the Nation. Unfortunately, for the last 5 years, this successful program has been on a budget rollercoaster. For example, funding for the fiscal year 1998 National Guard Counterdrug State plans program will result in a 42-percent cut in the amount actually available to State plans from the fiscal year 1997 level. It is tough to maintain program consistency when the funding level fluctuates each year. Legislation I am introducing today, along with Senator Ford, the co-chairman of the National Guard Caucus, will stabilize funding for the National Guard Counterdrug State plans program at no less than $200 million each fiscal year.”