White House agrees to congresswoman’s request
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today is announcing that the White House has finally agreed to her repeated requests to deploy National Guard troops to the U.S. border with Mexico.
“The White House is doing the right thing,” said Giffords, who called for the Guard’s deployment immediately after the March 27 murder of Cochise County rancher Rob Krentz. “Arizonans know that more boots on the ground means a safer and more secure border. Washington heard our message.”
Later today, President Obama will authorize the deployment of up to 1,200 National Guard troops to southwest border. He also will request that $500 million be included in supplemental spending legislation for enhanced border protection and law enforcement activities.
Giffords wrote to Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain yesterday asking that they stand up for border security and include additional funding in the war supplemental bill making its way through the senate this week.
“The fulfillment of my request is a clear sign that this administration is beginning to take border security seriously,” said Giffords.