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NGAUS Applauds Lawmakers’ Push to Maintain Governors’ National Guard Authority

05-03-23 Press Release Space Guard House Bill
05-03-23 Press Release Space Guard House Bill
Press Release

WASHINGTON (Oct. 17, 2024) — Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president, issued the following statement today on a bipartisan letter from 125 lawmakers urging the leadership of the Senate and House Armed Services committees to maintain the longstanding authority of governors over the National Guard. The letter was spearheaded by Sen. John Hickenlooper and Rep. Jason Crow, both Colorado Democrats.

“I wholeheartedly agree with the 125 members of the House and Senate who believe language maintaining the statutory authority of governors to oversee their National Guard forces should be included in the final fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.

“In recent weeks, the nation has witnessed governors across the country collaborating with Guard leadership and the executive branch to respond quickly and effectively to two historic hurricanes in the Southeast.

“Furthermore, Guardsmen from several states are deployed to Europe and the Middle East in support of our national security needs. Should the House-passed language be stripped from the final measure, it would alter the mission of the Guard and weaken our ability to be always ready and always there.

“I am grateful to Senator John Hickenlooper and Representative Jason Crow from Colorado for their continued leadership, as well as their commitment to pursue a commonsense solution which meets everyone’s shared goal of protecting the American people from threats foreign and domestic.”

Reporters, Editors & Producers: Ret. Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn is available for interviews or to appear as a subject matter expert on issues related to the National Guard. Contact John Goheen at 202-408-5882 to schedule an interview or appearance.

NGAUS: The association was created in 1878 to provide united Guard representation in Washington. In their first productive meeting after Reconstruction, militia officers from the North and South formed the association with the goal of obtaining better equipment and training by educating Congress on militia requirements. Today, 146 years later with more than 45,000 members nationwide, NGAUS has the same mission.