Standing a Better Chance?

National Guard proponents believe they may have a better chance with a Democratic controlled Congress to elevate the rank of the National Guard Bureau chief and give him a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Megan Scully of Congress Daily reports that Congressional aides say “staff discussions” are percolating over the matter. And, at least one aide says the work being done by the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves is only one piece of the puzzle not the last word. Legislation proposed this year—even though scaled down from initial efforts—was shunted aside by the 109th Congress in favor of a CNGR proposal slated for spring 2007.