then Add to Home Screen.
A bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate last week would direct state payments for the use of the National Guard's federal equipment during state missions directly to the Guard units that incurred the expense.
Currently, federal law directs these funds to the National Guard Bureau, but they often go to the Treasury Department and are never seen by the units who used the equipment.
The Guarding Readiness Resources Act exempts these payments from the Miscellaneous Receipts Act for State Active Duty.
Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., introduced the bill on June 11.
Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both R-Idaho; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; Steve Daines, R-Mont.; J.D. Vance, R-Ohio and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, are the bill's co-sponsors.
The bill's text is available here.
"The National Guard is a cornerstone of our national defense and emergency response system, responding to everything from natural disasters to national security threats," Lee said in a joint press release on June 11.
"Unfortunately, the current process for reimbursing Guard units creates unnecessary financial hurdles that undermine their readiness," he continued. "Our bill ensures that the funds used by states to reimburse the National Guard go directly to maintaining and preparing our equipment for future missions."
"I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Guarding Readiness Resources Act to ensure National Guard units can receive the federal reimbursements they need to continue serving our country safely and effectively," Manchin said.
"I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join this commonsense legislation that supports our Guard men and women and boosts emergency preparedness in our communities," he added.
This legislation addresses a significant operational challenge that the Guard faces.
The reimbursement of funds to units that used Guard equipment during state directed missions is a NGAUS resolution.
"The National Guard continuously responds to the dynamic domestic challenges this nation faces," said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president. "Immediate response often requires significant unforeseen state expenditures.
"While the law allows for federal reimbursement, it is executed in such a way that states never see those much-needed funds," he stated. "This creates substantial budget gaps that threaten the readiness of the force.
"The Guarding Readiness Resources Act corrects this oversight and ensures the National Guard has the necessary resources to effectively fulfill their mission. We are grateful for the work of Senators Lee and Manchin and ask for full congressional support for inclusion in the FY25 NDAA."
— By Donald Lambert
