June 13, 2019

HASC Approves Gallego Amendment to Require a National Guard Readiness Briefing re: Natural Disasters and WMDs

WASHINGTON, DC – Late last night, the House Armed Services Committee approved an amendment introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego to the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to provide a briefing to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on National Guard readiness and ability to meet modern threats from area disasters and weapons of mass destruction.

"The United States is facing ever-evolving threats from wide-area natural disasters and the evolution of new chemical, biological and cyber hazards," Rep. Gallego said. "We need to know that our National Guard is ready and able to address these threats, and we need identify areas where we can improve. I'm glad that the House Armed Services Committee acknowledged this need by approving my amendment to the FY2020 NDAA."

Rep. Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee.