[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 55 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HARKIN (for himself and Mr. Ford):
  S. 682. A bill to amend title 32, United States Code, to make 
available not less than $200,000,000 each fiscal year for funding of 
activities under National Guard drug interdiction and counterdrug 
activities plans; to the Committee on Armed Services.


       NATIONAL GUARD COUNTERDRUG STATE PLAN PROGRAM LEGISLATION

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, 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.
  Iowa law enforcement, as well as law enforcement across the United 
States, relies heavily on the help of the National Guard in their drug 
fighting efforts. The National Guard provides personnel and equipment 
to local law enforcement agencies. Guard men and women assist with 
analytical and technical support so that criminal investigators can be 
out on the street. The Iowa High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area 
[HIDTA] task force plans to utilize National Guard support as part of 
their efforts to fight methamphetamine trafficking in Iowa. Guard men 
and women also work in partnership with the Community Anti-drug 
Coalition of America and expect to reach 10 million young people in the 
country to help educate and motivate them to reject the use of illegal 
drugs.
  As we face unprecedented drug problems in Iowa and across the Nation, 
it is necessary to maintain consistent funding for the drug fighting 
efforts of the National Guard. Not only does the National Guard 
Counterdrug Program free up criminal investigators to fight crime on 
the streets, it provides an avenue for cooperation that makes 
enforcement more efficient as well. This program traditionally enjoys 
bipartisan support and affects law enforcement all across the United 
States. I encourage my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.
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