Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) is cosponsoring legislation which would elevate the Director of the National Guard Bureau to the rank of four star general and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The position would rotate between the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

"This bill would ensure that the National Guard will be appropriately represented when important decisions are made concerning defense strategy, force readiness and the allocation of resources," Cochran said.

Cochran recently joined fellow Senator Trent Lott in a letter to Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen expressing their concern that the National Guard had not been properly consulted or represented in the recent Quadrennial Defense Review.

"The National Guard forces have proven to be a vital component of our Nation's military, and they deserve representation when decisions are being made about their future," Cochran said.

The bill is expected to be introduced when the Senate reconvenes following the Memorial Recess.