DGA Statement on the White House’s Foot-Dragging on National Guard Deployments

States are still waiting on the White House to extend National Guard support for COVID-19. Presently, approximately 46,000 National Guard members are helping governors combat the coronavirus pandemic, including testing and contact tracing. Governors from both parties have requested that the deployments be extended.

The White House’s foot-dragging has forced some states to start shifting National Guard missions to state status, meaning already cash-strapped states would have to fund the National Guard missions themselves.

DGA Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy today issued the following statement:

“I urge the Administration to immediately extend the National Guard COVID-19 support through the end of the year. The Guard has been vital to beating back COVID-19 in New Jersey and in states across the country. National Guard members have assisted at community testing sites, nursing homes, and food banks, and it is critical that governors continue to receive their support during this public health crisis.

“In many states, cases are on the rise and the need for testing and extra help is increasing, not declining. Governors are leading in this crisis, but we need the federal government to ensure that we have the resources we need to combat the virus.”