Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to President Joe Biden opposing the Department of the Air Force’s proposal to transfer National Guard troops from state control to the federal government without the governor’s approval. The proposal calls for transferring certain National Guard units from the National Guard to the newly created Space Force.
“Legislative Proposition 480, filed by the U.S. Department of the Air Force, poses an intolerable threat to the Texas National Guard. The Legislature has long required the governor’s consent before transferring forces from the National Guard, which he commands,” Abbott said. he said in a May 3 letter to President Biden. “By departing from this prudent arrangement and allowing the Secretary to disband National Guard units on a whim, Proposition 480 sets a dangerous precedent.”
This letter follows a recent statement by the bipartisan Governor’s Council that Governor Abbott wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on April 22 asking the Department of the Air Force to withdraw legislative proposal 480. It is said that they are in agreement. The proposal would circumvent federal law and place 14 units currently assigned to the National Guard under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Space Force without the required consent of each state’s governor, the U.S. National Guard Association reported.
“This disregard for the governor’s role in these matters also negatively impacts the federal-state relationship regarding the National Guard,” the governors wrote in a letter to Secretary Austin. “Avoiding the governor’s input undermines preparedness and damages relationships.”
The Governor’s Council consists of:
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, co-chair;
- Co-chair Vermont Governor Phil Scott;
- Delaware Governor John Carney,
- Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer,
- Idaho Governor Brad Little;
- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham;
- Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb;
- South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster,
- Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and
- Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
Even though there were no units eligible for this direct proposal, Governor Abbott opposed the plan, arguing that it would set a precedent that would circumvent federal law requiring governor’s consent before transfers.
The governor spoke about the important role the Texas National Guard plays in protecting the lives and property of Texans.
In recent years, the Texas National Guard has heroically responded to hurricanes, wildfires, and a variety of other disasters, including disasters on the Texas-Mexico border. Just recently, the Texas National Guard responded to the largest wildfire in Texas history by dropping water from aircraft and using MQ-9 Reapers to assess the situation on the ground. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Texas National Guard has deployed more than 4,600 troops to support 17 state agencies in all 254 Texas counties and has responded to 530 formal Texas requests for assistance. I responded.
The governor did not mention the Texas National Guard’s important mission to protect the state’s southern border with Mexico under Operation Lone Star.
Abbott concluded:
The Legislature has long required governors’ consent before transferring troops from the National Guard, which they command. See 32 USC § 104. 10 USC § 18238. By departing from this prudent arrangement and allowing the Secretary to disband National Guard units on a whim, Legislative Proposition 480 sets a dangerous precedent. The Texas National Guard must remain ready to respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, and cartel activity that threaten our way of life.
The U.S. Department of the Air Force should withdraw Legislative Proposition 480. Instead of attempting such a power grab in Congress, the U.S. Department of the Air Force should work with affected governors to build up the Space Force in a manner consistent with federal policy. Law.
On April 30th, 53 governors letter Secretary Austin was asked to withdraw the proposal.
“National Guard assets are a critical component of state and territory crisis response,” the governors said. “The Governor must maintain full authority as commander-in-chief of these assets to effectively protect operational readiness and American communities.
“Federal initiatives or legislative actions designed to override or weaken these authorities will negatively impact our ability to serve the nation and seriously damage the relationship between states and the federal government.” ” they explained to Austin.
bob price He is an associate editor and senior news contributor on the Breitbart Texas Border Team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team.Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston what is your point? sunday morning talk show.He is also the president of blue wonder cancer care products.
