Aug 11, 2009

Manchin Stands Up For State's Rights vs. Federal Martial Law

Apparently in acting in capacity of the National Governor's Association, as second in leadership, Governor Manchin put his name to paper in defending States' Rights under the 10th Amendment of the Constitution to counter a usurping role of the Federal government and Pentagon during times of declared crisis.  This would also include governor's powers, versus federal, in response to a Swine Flu emergency:

Governors oppose DoD emergency powers

A bipartisan pair of governors is opposing a new Defense Department proposal to handle natural and terrorism-related disasters, contending that a murky chain of command could lead to more problems than solutions.

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas (R), chairman of the National Governors Association, and Vice Chairman Gov. Joe Manchin (D) of West Virginia penned a letter opposing the Pentagon proposal, which they said would hinder a state's effort to respond to a disaster.

Current law gives governors control over National Guard forces in their own states as well as any Guard units and Defense Department personnel imported from other states.
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