S. 2803: Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard Act

This bill, titled the Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard Act, aims to establish clear congressional oversight over the domestic use of the National Guard. Here are the key points of the bill:

Mandatory Reporting After Deployment

The bill requires the President to report to Congress within 15 days after deploying or using members of the National Guard within the United States. This report must include:

• Legal Basis and Goals: A detailed explanation of the legal authority under which the National Guard is deployed, along with the objectives of that deployment and supporting evidence.
• Effect of Deployment: A description of how the deployment affects the situation it was intended to address, particularly any interactions with civilians involved in violence or threats.
• Local Reports: Submissions from local and state law enforcement about any interactions between National Guard members and civilians, detailing the nature and extent of violence or threats of violence, and their assessment of the deployment's appropriateness.
• Cost Estimates: An estimation of the total costs incurred by the federal government for the deployment, including direct and indirect costs associated with the Department of Defense.
• Disaster Response Certification: A certification confirming that the National Guard's deployment will not impede the Armed Forces' ability to respond to disasters as defined under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Exceptions

The bill specifies an exception to these reporting requirements for National Guard deployments in response to natural disasters or severe weather events. In such cases, if the deployment is pursuant to a presidential declaration under the Stafford Act, the President is not required to submit the reports outlined in the bill.

Purpose and Scope

The primary aim of the bill is to ensure that Congress has oversight over the circumstances and implications of deploying the National Guard domestically, promoting accountability and transparency regarding the use of these resources in crises or security situations.

Relevant Companies

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