The state’s Emergency Commission has given the North Dakota National Guard a $6 million line of credit at the Bank of North Dakota to help pay for the Guard’s support of local law enforcement dealing with the Dakota Access Pipeline protest.
Gov. Dalrymple ordered the Guard to provide that support.
The Commission vote was unanimous.
"We've got these people out there on the front lines, working overtime," said Sen. Majority Leader Rich Wardner (R-Dickinson). "We have to pay them."
House Majority Leader Al Carlson agreed -- but is critical of the pipeline protest.
"My biggest disappointment is there seems to be no one following the rule of law in that area," Carlson said. "That is absolutely wrong."
Carlson said he appreciates what the Guard's doing.
"It's a shame our guys have to take off work in their jobs to defend an issue like this," Carlson said.
Guard adjutant general Alan Dohrmann said the Guard has spent nearly $1.9 million to date on the protest.