The National Governors Association sent a letter to the Chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees expressing governors' opposition to a provision in the House-passed version of the National Defense Authorization Act that would allow the President to federalize the National Guard of the states without the consent of the governor. Governors feel strongly about their constitutional responsibility to protect their citizens and do not want that power shifted to the federal government. Governors urge the Senate to drop this provision and preserve governor's authority over the National Guard during emergencies.