H.R. 5093: District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act

This proposed bill, known as the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, aims to give the Mayor of the District of Columbia the same level of authority over the National Guard as governors of U.S. states have. Here are the key changes this bill would implement:

1. Mayor's Command Authority

The bill allows the Mayor of the District of Columbia to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the District's National Guard, replacing the authority that the President of the United States currently holds in this capacity. This authority includes:

• Directing the administration of the National Guard.
• Making appointments of commissioned officers.
• Ordering troops into duty.
• Managing courts martial and other military-related governance.

2. Amendments to Existing Laws

Several existing laws related to the National Guard will be amended to reflect this change in command. This includes provisions that specify the Mayor in places where the President is currently mentioned. Key sections amended include:

• Appointment of officers now refers to the Mayor.
• References to the President in calling for duty or approving retirements will be changed to the Mayor.
• Responsibility for maintaining and training the National Guard will fall under the Mayor's office.
• Requirements for approvals and consents regarding duties will also shift to the Mayor.

3. Relevant Sections of U.S. Code

In addition to local law changes, this bill seeks to make conforming amendments to federal law (Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code), which govern the military and reserve components:

• The Mayor is designated to take actions that involve the successful performance of training and other military readiness items.
• The Mayor will have authority concerning National Guard installations and personnel matters.

4. General Governance Changes

The Mayor will now have the authority to:

• Issue supplies and manage logistics related to the National Guard.
• Oversee general administration and performance within the National Guard structure.
• Federal support and external relationships will align with the Mayor's command, affecting how the National Guard operates in conjunction with federal military forces.

5. Home Rule Amendments

Finally, this bill proposes an adjustment to the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, removing references to the President's authority over the National Guard, thereby solidifying the Mayor's control in legal terms.

Relevant Companies

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