Rep. Steve King Responds with Letter Supporting MCTC Funding

October 17, 2014

Dear Mr. Snyder,

Thank you for contacting me with your support for the National Guard Counterdrug Training Centers in FY15.  It is good to hear from you.

As you may know, the global illegal drug trade has serious implications for the national security and interests of the United States.  In order to combat the threat of dangerous narcotics on the U.S., Congress created the National Guard Counterdrug Training Centers in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in 1991.  The National Guard Counterdrug Training Centers provides the necessary training to Combatant Commands, Law Enforcement Agencies, Community Based Organizations and military members to detect and disrupt drug trafficking.  Iowa is home to the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center (MCTC) at Camp Dodge.  The MCTC is instrumental for this essential training.  I have long supported the efforts of the MCTC and will continue to fight for the robust funding that is necessary for this program.   

In January 2014, Congress passed H.R. 3547, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, and it was signed into law by the President on January 17, 2014.  H.R. 3547 funded National Guard Counter-drug activities at $1.05 billion for FY14.  I opposed this legislation because it spends entirely too much taxpayer money throughout the federal government.  However, I do support robust funding for the MCTC because it is clearly in the interest of our homeland security.

In April 2014, the President proposed his budget recommendation for FY15, which did not include funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Training Centers.  I was very concerned that for the first time since the early 1990's, federal funding for these critical programs were not requested in a President's budget request.  Fortunately, the President's budget request, is just that - a request.  Ultimately Congress sets the spending priorities for the federal government through its annual budget resolution.  The Congressional Budget Resolution, agreed upon by the House and Senate, sets overall spending levels for the Congressional Appropriations Committees.  Once a budget is passed, the appropriations process determines the amount of funding that various agencies, departments, and programs within the Federal Government are given each fiscal year.  As Congress considers further appropriations for the National Guard Counterdrug Training Centers program in FY15, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.

Once again, thank you for contacting me.  Please do not hesitate to do so again in the future.

Sincerely,

Steve King

Member of Congress