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“INTRODUCTION OF THE STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2015” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E414-E415 on March 25, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF THE STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2015
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HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO
of guam
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced the National Guard State Partnership Program Enhancement Act of 2015, which strengthens this critical ``soft power'' global partnership program. The National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) provides unique capacity building capabilities to Combatant Commanders and U.S. Chiefs of Mission via 68 comprehensive partnerships between National Guard units across the United States and 74 partner nations with the potential for further development.
For over 20 years, the SPP has directly supported the broad national interests and security cooperation goals of the United States by engaging partner nations via military, sociopolitical, and economic conduits at the local, state, and national levels. The program's public diplomacy effectiveness lies in its ability to leverage the full breadth and depth of U.S. defense and interagency capabilities from within the state-country relationship.
The value of the SPP lies in its ability to concentrate a small component of the U.S. defense structure--a state's National Guard--on a single country or region in support of U.S. Government policies and objectives that are coordinated between the Combatant Commander and U.S. Chief of Mission. This concentrated focus supports the development of long term personal relationships and interagency coordination mechanisms that would not otherwise exist. By its nature the National Guard is uniquely positioned within the military to develop these long term relationships.
The SPP is becoming an increasingly more important tool for Combatant Commanders and U.S. Chiefs of Mission in achieving long-term U.S. strategic objectives. The program has developed from assistance and partnership with primarily Eastern European nations to a program that supports all the non-CONUS combatant commanders. Recently, the long-
term benefits of this program became evident. In particular, I highlight the 22-year relationship between the California National Guard and Ukraine. When the instability in Ukraine began the California National Guard got some of the clearest insight we had into the situation by virtue of the long term relationship they had forged with Ukraine's military and civil institutions.
Of additional interest to me are the opportunities that SPP poses for our rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region. I believe the SPP will further expand and strengthen relations with many Asian and Pacific nations. The program clearly demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the region and our allies. In fact, one of the newest partnerships was established last year between Tonga and the Nevada National Guard. These types of partnerships help to develop critical capacity building capabilities for allies in this critical region of the world.
Most importantly, the bill I introduce today eliminates the 2016 termination of the program. Additionally, it removes the program restriction to be primarily a humanitarian and emergency response force and expands it to support the national interests and security cooperation goals and objectives of the United States. Elimination of this restrictive language helps to recognize the true nature of SPP and acknowledges broader partnerships that already exist. Requiring the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to development ``core competencies'' will help the Combatant Commanders and U.S. Chiefs of Mission more effectively use, develop and maintain partnership programs.
Further, the bill ensures that Department of Defense, a state National Guard and Department of State's equities are considered in the context of broader program goals and lays out the roles of the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and Chief of the National Guard Bureau in managing the program. The bill puts in place critical oversight mechanisms to establish metrics through which to analyze the impact of the program. Lastly, this bill creates an accounting line within DoD that allows National Guard funds to be used in support of the program and ensures accountability of the funding. Funds for the program currently come several separate Service, Department of Defense and Department of State accounts. The Congress needs more visibility on the use of these funds and establishing a central account is critical to this endeavor and is similar to how the counterdrug program resources its activities.
The capabilities and missions outlined in this legislation leverage the capabilities inherent in the National Guard and will strengthen our relations with allies and nations across the globe. The dual role of the National Guard provides them a unique opportunity to support Combatant Commander as well as an Ambassador's needs in a given country. I believe this legislation is necessary to codify current practices and enhance the program's positive impact worldwide.
I thank Congressman Tim Walz of Minnesota; Congressman Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma and Congressman Doug Lamborn of Colorado for being original co-sponsors of this legislation. Our efforts highlight the bi-partisan support for SPP and need to enhance this critical capacity building tool. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this critical legislation.
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