then Add to Home Screen.
Bipartisan legislation introduced in the House and Senate last week would direct state payments for the use of the National Guard federal equipment in state missions to the units that used the equipment.
The Guarding Readiness Resources Act is intended to ensure the Guard has the funds needed to repair, replace and maintain equipment used in state emergencies.
Currently, federal law allows federal funds to be used for state-directed missions, however reimbursements are directed to the Treasury Department. Most of the time, the funds never reach the affected units.
Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced the bill in the House. Reps. Greg Murphy, R-N.C, Don Davis, D-N.C, and Joe Neguse, D-Colo., are co-leads.
“The National Guard is America’s first responder, but outdated bureaucracy is draining resources, leaving critical equipment broken and unfunded after state active-duty missions,” Harrigan said in a press release.
This is the first time the House has considered the legislation. The Senate unanimously approved the Guarding Readiness Resources Act last year.
Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., reintroduced the bill in the Senate.
Sens. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Jerry Moran, R-Kan., James Risch, R-Idaho, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Kevin Cramer, R-ND, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Jim Justice, R-W.Va., are co-sponsors.
“The National Guard is essential to our national defense and emergency response system," Lee said in a press release. "Our legislation eliminates unnecessary hurdles, ensuring that the funds used by states to reimburse the National Guard go directly to maintaining and preparing our equipment for future missions.”
Duckworth added, “Our bipartisan Guarding Readiness Resources Act would better ensure the Guard has access to the funds needed for the maintenance and readiness activities that help them keep our country safe.”
NGAUS strongly supports the bill.
“Immediate response often requires significant unforeseen state expenditures.,” said retired Maj Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president. “While the law allows for federal reimbursement, it is executed in such a way that states never see those much-needed funds. The Guarding Readiness Resources Act corrects this oversight.”
The text of the Senate bill is here.
A one-page fact sheet on the Guarding Readiness Resources Act is available here.
— By John Goheen
