Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement on Senate passage of an amendment he cosponsored with Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to give the National Guard its first seat on the nation’s highest military council, the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The amendment passed the Senate as part of the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act.

“The role of our National Guard and Reserve members has expanded, and they have risen to the challenge and fought alongside our other military service members to keep us safe at home and to protect our freedom abroad,” said Bennet. “They have earned a voice in Pentagon decisions that affect them. Now, the Guard will have the recognition and involvement that it deserves.”

The House has already passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act. Next, a House and Senate conference committee will meet to work out the differences in the bill before it is sent to the President to be signed into law.

For more information on the Bennet-backed amendment, click here.