WASHINGTON (AP) - A National Guard official said Tuesday that the Guard would need additional funds to send more troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Major General Peter Aylward (ALL’-word) said the Guard currently is analyzing the needs on the border, but any response will require additional funds. Aylward is the director of the Joint Staff of the National Guard Bureau. He testifed before a House Homeland Security subcommittee Tuesday morning.
Outside the hearing, Aylward said $43 million would be needed through the end of the year. He says Congress has authorized a maximum 4,000 Guard troops for a counterdrug program that places troops throughout the country, but lawmakers have provided only enough funds for 2,500 troops.
Of those, 371 Guard members are doing counterdrug work on the border, said Mark Allen, National Guard spokesman.
Guard units on border states have said they can provide about 800 people who can fill those spots.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has asked the federal government to send 1,000 troops to the border to contain drug-related violence occurring across the border.
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