Recommendation continued: Setting a minimum level of baseline funding and distinct line item in the appropriation will stabilize this critical homeland defense mission and will ensure congressional intent is clearly executed once appropriated.

Justification: National Guard Counter Drug (NGCD) funding for state plans (the 54 NGCD programs) has been decremented in the President's Budget Request (PBR) by over 40% the last two fiscal years (FY). Congress has been instrumental in adding to the PBR, but funding has typically been received late enough in the FY, that under execution of vital resources is the outcome. The majority of NGCD funding is utilized for pay and allowances for the soldiers and airmen of the National Guard to perform this vital homeland defense mission of counter drug support to law enforcement agencies (LEA). After two years in this funding cycle, the National Guard has already sustained substantial decreases in our ability support to LEAs based on uncertainty of funding to pay soldiers and airmen to perform this critical mission. The authorized end strength to perform this mission is 4,000 and we will drop to below 1,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen assigned (due to funding decrements) to CD support. Establishing a baseline level of funding to the 54 states, territories and DC is critical to ensuring the National Guard can continue to support our LEA partners in their vital homeland security mission to counter transnational organized crime.

By funding as a distinct line item in lieu of project code within the CTA, Congressional intent can not be misconstrued

TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION: CONCUR

NGB RECOMMENDATION: No Comment