Iowa Gov. Branstad: Don't Cut Funding to National Guard

Iowa's Republican Gov. Terry Branstad urged the Obama administration not to cut funding to the National Guard.

"The message from all of the governors of both parties is don't cut the National Guard," Branstad, co-chairman of the Governors Advisory Council to the Pentagon and Homeland Security, told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Monday.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is expected to suggest cuts Monday to the U.S. military, reducing its size to pre-World War II numbers, according to The New York Times.

Republican governors are scheduled to meet Monday with President Barack Obama while in Washington, D.C., for the annual meeting of the National Governors Association. Branstad said governors think it would be a "big mistake" to cut the National Guard.

"We know there is going to be reductions in the Army. There has been a big buildup in the Army since 9/11. And now the Army is recommending major reductions in the National Guard instead of the regular Army," Branstad said.

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