Gov. Edwards, along with eight others, appointed to Council of Governors

Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - President Joe Biden appointed nine governors, including Governor John Bell Edwards, as members of the Council of Governors for two-year terms Thursday, according to the White House Press Office.

The bipartisan Council of Governors serves as the lead forum to strengthen partnerships between the Federal government and state governments to better protect the Nation from threats to homeland security and all types of hazards, according to the press office.

The press office says the council focuses on matters of homeland security; homeland defense; civil support; synchronization and integration of state and Federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest, including those involving the National Guard.

The Council of Governors will closely coordinate with the Biden-Harris administration to bolster preparedness, resilience and response on behalf of all Americans in times of need, according to the press office.

The Council includes leaders across the Federal government: the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, the Deputy Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs, the Commander of U.S. Northern Command, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, according to the press office. Federal officials such as the Administrator of FEMA are regular participants, according to the press office.

President’s Council of Governors who will join Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on the council:

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Co-Chair
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Co-Chair
Delaware Governor John Carney
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Oregon Governor Kate Brown
Utah Governor Spencer Cox
Vermont Governor Phil Scott
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon

Statement from Gov. Edwards:

“It is an honor to join my fellow governors in serving as a critical link between the states and the federal government, especially as we face important issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, improving our physical and cyber infrastructure, and addressing the ongoing climate crisis, among other things. I want to thank President Biden and the White House for trusting me with this role, and I pledge to continue working collaboratively with this administration and building on the strength of our partnerships to improve the lives of Louisianans and the resilience of our nation to global threats. As has been made apparent over the past 16 months, the nation’s governors are at the forefront of handling many emerging threats and crises, and I applaud the White House’s commitment to clear, transparent communication with the states and incorporating the concerns of governors in the country’s response and resilience strategies. When government agencies at all levels work together, all of our people benefit.”