The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) and the South Carolina Representative to the United States House of Representatives, the Honorable Joe Wilson, are proposing a new bill that would provide for better integration and coordination between State Defense Forces, Federal Agencies and the United States Military during natural disasters and other National & Statewide emergencies. The bill, if passed, would allow Federal Agencies to identify State Defense Forces as a state agency which would allow them to better integrate into Joint Task Forces.
The Bill is also fiscally neutral which wouldn’t require any funding from the United States and/or States.
The bill would revise 32 USC 109 to remove confusing enumerations that at times prohibit the State and/or Federal government from utilizing State Defense Forces. The bill has been crafted based on the recommendations from the 2014 Department of Defense Inspector General Evaluation Report of State Defense Forces.
2014 Department of Defense Inspector General Evaluation Report
This bill will immediately benefit current operations that are being held between the State Defense Forces and National Guard. Operations such as
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- The California State Guard (SDF) working alongside the National Guard & CALFIRE in Wildfire Operations
- The New York State Guard (SDF) working with the National Guard in Covid-19 Response operations
- The Texas State Guard working with FEMA & the National Guard in Shelter Operations during severe weather
- The Connecticut Foot Guard (SDF), Georgia State Defense Force, Indiana Guard Reserve (SDF), Alaska State Defense Force, as well as many other State Defense Forces who have been on Active Duty since the start of the Pandemic working with the National Guard in Joint Task Forces.
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To support the bill, contact your congressional representative:Click Here to Contact Your Congressional Representative
Summary of Bill (PDF): Click Here To Read
House of Representatives Bill Text: 32 USC 109 Proposed Amendment
Background Information: Click Here to Read
Special thank you to the Honorable Joe Wilson, and the incredible leadership & staff at the State Guard Association of the United States for their involvement in this bill.
The Commanding Officer of the California State Guard (State Defense Force) & President of SGAUS, MG (CA) Jay Coggan who has been essential in the development of this bill, recommends everyone have a read of the following paragraph from the desk of President & General Dwight D. Eisenhower:
I am enclosing a letter that President Eisenhower sent to Congress in 1955. If you read the “Fifth” point, the argument cannot be said better. The current demands of Federal missions are slamming into the increased need to respond to state missions.
He would also like to add
I would ask you all to reach out to your respective Congressmen and Congresswomen to contact Rep Wilson’s office and join in on this bill.
