02.07.18

Hoeven Introduces Legislation to Deem National Guard Essential in the Event of Future Government Shutdowns

Senator’s Bill Ensures Guard Members Can Continue to Drill and Train, Like Active Duty Military Members

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today introduced legislation to ensure that National Guard trainings and drills would continue in the event of a government shutdown. To ensure military readiness and provide the National Guard with greater certainty, the legislation deems National Guard activities essential and prevents them from being furloughed during government shutdowns. 

“Our National Guard is ‘always ready and always there’,” said Hoeven. “This legislation ensures that our Guard members’ trainings and drills aren’t interrupted in the event of a government shutdown. While we must always work to keep government open and operating, this legislation would ensure the National Guard can maintain readiness even in the event of a future shutdown.”

During the last government shutdown, the North Dakota National Guard had to send over 500 Guard members home after they had already arrived to their duty locations for training. Of the 500 Guard members sent home, 200 were recalled to their duty stations the same day because they were either preparing for or supporting deployments. 

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