Washington, D.C. – The Pentagon is considering using National Guard troops to help secure America’s borders, an idea proposed by Senator John Ensign several weeks ago. Ensign proposed an amendment April 4th that would reimburse states for the cost of putting National Guard troops on the border.

“It’s gratifying to see a positive response to the idea of using the National Guard on our borders and I hope it continues to move forward,” Ensign said. “Securing our borders is the first and most crucial step in immigration reform and the National Guard can play a vital role in shoring up America’s security at the borders.”

Earlier this week, Ensign and a group of other senators spoke to White House adviser Karl Rove and Deputy Chief of Staff Joel Kaplan about the idea.

“I’ve seen firsthand the tremendous job our Border Patrol agents do on the front lines, but the job is overwhelming and we owe it to them and to the American people to provide enough manpower and resources to truly control our borders,” Ensign said. “Use of the National Guard can take us a step closer to secure borders and cut down on the violence that accompanies illegal border crossings.”

Ensign’s original amendment was blocked on the Senate floor. He said he will work to include it as part of the immigration package currently being negotiated in the Senate.