National Guard Benefits For Covid 19 Response

May 22, 2020
President Donald J. Trump Secretary Mark T. Esper

The White House U.S. Department of Defense
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW 1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20500 Washington, D.C. 20301
Administrator Peter T. Gaynor

Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472
Dear Mr. President, Secretary Esper, and Administrator Gaynor:
We write today to raise a number of issues impacting the National Guard personnel deployed in
support of the fight against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The National Guard has been critical in executing the nation’s pandemic response efforts.
Thousands of National Guard servicemembers have been providing invaluable support for
testing civilians and Guard personnel, logistics and warehouse distribution, planning for
Emergency Operations Centers, homelessness outreach, and much more. We also recognize that
National Guard servicemembers have been supporting state efforts in high threat and high risk
areas, namely, medical support to prisons; frontline testing at hot spots and critical infrastructure
locations; supporting tracing operations; and providing direct care to COVID-19 positive
citizens, including at care facilities like Veterans Living Centers and homeless populations.
Our national success in flattening the curve will not be possible without the contributions of the
National Guard. We believe it is critical to ensure that all National Guard personnel are taken
care of during this crisis and after, recognizing that the threat of COVID-19 will not immediately
go away and the National Guard is likely to be called on again in the future.
Therefore, we urge you to consider our recommendations for addressing the following concerns
immediately.
• Federal Status: We ask that you consider keeping all National Guard servicemembers
supporting the COVID-19 mission on 502(f)(2) status rather than transitioning to State
Active Duty (SAD) orders regardless of future FEMA reimbursement. This will ensure
healthcare commensurate with the work they are performing is available. This will also
ensure they are able to continue support to the nation’s effort without uncertainty of
status. If orders are to be extended on a month-to-month basis, we ask that all orders are
31 days or longer in duration and that the announcement of extensions be made early in
the month in order to allow for preparation by each state’s leadership teams.
• Leave: We are encouraged by the recent change that will allow National Guard members
to sell back unused leave without penalty or roll over accrued leave to another activated
status. We ask that you continue to provide National Guard members with flexibility in
how they may utilize leave accrued during the COVID-19 response, and ensure necessary
federal funding to support the different leave usage options.
• Healthcare: We ask that you ensure the National Guard members activated in support of
COVID-19 are provided Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP) benefits
for 180 days after coming off orders, similar to their Reserve counterparts.
• GI Bill and Retirement Benefits: We believe that the service of National Guard
members during this unprecedented emergency is deserving of the recognition intended
by educational and retirement benefit programs in the spirit in which they were created.
We encourage you to be inclusive of pandemic response affiliated military service to
ensure that National Guard personnel are not being inappropriately prevented from
accessing the benefits earned by their service.
We are proud of the incredible contributions of the National Guard. They have been a critical
team member in the nation’s fight against COVID-19. We welcome your support in ensuring
they are kept safe, healthy, and receive the benefits they deserve.
Sincerely,
/s/ Michael F. Bennet /s/ Cory Gardner

_____________________ _____________________
Michael F. Bennet Cory Gardner
United States Senator United States Senator
/s/ Jason Crow /s/ Doug Lamborn

_____________________ _____________________
Jason Crow Doug Lamborn
United States Representative United States Representative
/s/ Richard Blumenthal /s/ Terri A. Sewell

_____________________ _____________________
Richard Blumenthal Terri A. Sewell
United States Senator United States Representative
/s/ Robert P. Casey, Jr. /s/ Brian Fitzpatrick

_____________________ _____________________
Robert P. Casey, Jr. Brian Fitzpatrick
/s/ Kyrsten Sinema /s/ Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr.

_____________________ _____________________
Kyrsten Sinema Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr.
/s/ Brian Schatz /s/ Austin Scott

_____________________ _____________________
Brian Schatz Austin Scott
2
/s/ Gary C. Peters /s/ James P. McGovern
_____________________ _____________________
Gary C. Peters James P. McGovern
/s/ Christopher A. Coons /s/ Cheri Bustos

_____________________ _____________________
Christopher A. Coons Cheri Bustos
/s/ Ron Wyden /s/ Ed Perlmutter

_____________________ _____________________
Ron Wyden Ed Perlmutter
/s/ Tammy Baldwin /s/ Ed Case

_____________________ _____________________
Tammy Baldwin Ed Case
/s/ Thom Tillis /s/ Jimmy Panetta

_____________________ _____________________
Thom Tillis Jimmy Panetta
/s/ Richard Burr /s/ Deb Haaland

_____________________ _____________________
Richard Burr Deb Haaland
/s/ Mark R. Warner /s/ Cindy Axne

_____________________ _____________________
Mark R. Warner Cindy Axne
/s/ Tim Kaine /s/ Filemon Vela

_____________________ _____________________
Tim Kaine Filemon Vela
/s/ Doug Jones /s/ Tulsi Gabbard

_____________________ _____________________
Doug Jones Tulsi Gabbard
3
/s/ Patrick Leahy /s/ Brian Higgins
_____________________ _____________________
Patrick Leahy Brian Higgins
/s/ Chris Van Hollen /s/ Scott DesJarlais, M.D.

_____________________ _____________________
Chris Van Hollen Scott DesJarlais, M.D.
/s/ Sherrod Brown /s/ Ruben Gallego

_____________________ _____________________
Sherrod Brown Ruben Gallego
/s/ Kirsten Gillibrand /s/ Andy Kim

_____________________ _____________________
Kirsten Gillibrand Andy Kim
/s/ Catherine Cortez Masto /s/ Elissa Slotkin

_____________________ _____________________
Catherine Cortez Masto Elissa Slotkin
/s/ Shelley Moore Capito /s/ Chrissy Houlahan

_____________________ _____________________
Shelley Moore Capito Chrissy Houlahan
/s/ Steve Daines /s/ Lori Trahan

_____________________ _____________________
Steve Daines Lori Trahan
/s/ Jeffrey A. Merkley /s/ Richard E. Neal

_____________________ _____________________
Jeffrey A. Merkley Richard E. Neal
/s/ Bernard Sanders /s/ Eleanor Holmes Norton

_____________________ _____________________
Bernard Sanders Eleanor Holmes Norton
4
/s/ Mike Crapo /s/ Anthony G. Brown
_____________________ _____________________
Mike Crapo Anthony G. Brown
/s/ John Hoeven /s/ Jim Cooper

_____________________ _____________________
John Hoeven Jim Cooper
/s/ Ted Cruz /s/ Michael Waltz

_____________________ _____________________
Ted Cruz Michael Waltz
/s/ Tina Smith /s/ Jared Golden

_____________________ _____________________
Tina Smith Jared Golden
/s/ Jacky Rosen /s/ Seth Moulton

_____________________ _____________________
Jacky Rosen Seth Moulton
/s/ Joe Manchin III /s/ Donald S. Beyer, Jr.

_____________________ _____________________
Joe Manchin III Donald S. Beyer, Jr.
/s/ Roger F. Wicker /s/ Val Demings

_____________________ _____________________
Roger F. Wicker Val Demings
/s/ Cindy Hyde-Smith /s/ Conor Lamb

_____________________ _____________________
Cindy Hyde-Smith Conor Lamb
/s/ Susan M. Collins /s/ Sheila Jackson Lee

_____________________ _____________________
Susan M. Collins Sheila Jackson Lee
5
/s/ Amy Klobuchar /s/ Dwight Evans
_____________________ _____________________
Amy Klobuchar Dwight Evans
/s/ Marco Rubio /s/ Joe Courtney

_____________________ _____________________
Marco Rubio Joe Courtney
/s/ Diana DeGette /s/ Alcee L. Hastings

_____________________ _____________________
Diana DeGette Alcee L. Hastings
/s/ Joe Morell /s/ A. Donald McEachin

_____________________ _____________________
Joe Morell A. Donald McEachin
/s/ Jim Himes /s/ Grace F. Napolitano

_____________________ _____________________
Jim Himes Grace F. Napolitano
/s/ Susan Wild /s/ Alma S. Adams, Ph.D.

_____________________ _____________________
Susan Wild Alma S. Adams, Ph.D.
/s/ Tim Ryan /s/ Joe Neguse

_____________________ _____________________
Tim Ryan Joe Neguse
/s/ Marcy Kaptur /s/ Wm. Lacy Clay

_____________________ _____________________
Marcy Kaptur Wm. Lacy Clay
/s/ Carolyn B. Maloney /s/ Bill Pascrell, Jr.

_____________________ _____________________
Carolyn B. Maloney Bill Pascrell, Jr.
6
/s/ Gerald E. Connolly /s/ Stephen F. Lynch
_____________________ _____________________
Gerald E. Connolly Stephen F. Lynch
/s/ Tom O'Halleran /s/ Frank Pallone

_____________________ _____________________
Tom O'Halleran Frank Pallone
/s/ Peter DeFazio /s/ Lizzie Fletcher

_____________________ _____________________
Peter DeFazio Lizzie Fletcher
/s/ G. K. Butterfield /s/ Chris Pappas

_____________________ _____________________
G. K. Butterfield Chris Pappas
/s/ Max Rose /s/ Darren Soto

_____________________ _____________________
Max Rose Darren Soto
/s/ Jim Banks /s/ Paul Tonko

_____________________ _____________________
Jim Banks Paul Tonko
/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger /s/ Angie Craig

_____________________ _____________________
Abigail D. Spanberger Angie Craig
/s/ David Trone /s/ William Timmons

_____________________ _____________________
David Trone William Timmons
/s/ Joe Wilson /s/ Norma J. Torres

_____________________ _____________________
Joe Wilson Norma J. Torres
7
/s/ J. Luis Correa /s/ Jeff Duncan
_____________________ _____________________
J. Luis Correa Jeff Duncan
/s/ Peter T. King /s/ Kurt Schrader

_____________________ _____________________
Peter T. King Kurt Schrader
/s/ Nanette Diaz Barragán /s/ Jamie Raskin

_____________________ _____________________
Nanette Diaz Barragán Jamie Raskin
/s/ Jim Langevin /s/ Anthony Gonzalez

_____________________ _____________________
Jim Langevin Anthony Gonzalez
/s/ Ann McLane Kuster /s/ C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger

_____________________ _____________________
Ann McLane Kuster C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
/s/ Joaquin Castro /s/ Anthony Brindisi

_____________________ _____________________
Joaquin Castro Anthony Brindisi
/s/ Steve Womack /s/ Vicente Gonzalez

_____________________ _____________________
Steve Womack Vicente Gonzalez
/s/ Don Bacon /s/ Marcia L. Fudge

_____________________ _____________________
Don Bacon Marcia L. Fudge
/s/ Jack Bergman /s/ Dean Phillips

_____________________ _____________________
Jack Bergman Dean Phillips
8
/s/ Robert J. Wittman /s/ Cedric L. Richmond
_____________________ _____________________
Robert J. Wittman Cedric L. Richmond
/s/ Tom Cole /s/ Anna G. Eshoo

_____________________ _____________________
Tom Cole Anna G. Eshoo
/s/ Vicky Hartzler

_____________________
Vicky Hartzler
United States Representative

National Guard Benefits For Covid 19 Response

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

National Guard Benefits For Covid 19 Response

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

May 22, 2020

President Donald J. Trump Secretary Mark T. Esper

Administrator Peter T. Gaynor

Dear Mr. President, Secretary Esper, and Administrator Gaynor:

/s/ Michael F. Bennet /s/ Cory Gardner

/s/ Jason Crow /s/ Doug Lamborn

/s/ Richard Blumenthal /s/ Terri A. Sewell

/s/ Robert P. Casey, Jr. /s/ Brian Fitzpatrick

/s/ Kyrsten Sinema /s/ Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr.

/s/ Brian Schatz /s/ Austin Scott

/s/ Christopher A. Coons /s/ Cheri Bustos

/s/ Ron Wyden /s/ Ed Perlmutter

/s/ Tammy Baldwin /s/ Ed Case

/s/ Thom Tillis /s/ Jimmy Panetta

/s/ Richard Burr /s/ Deb Haaland

/s/ Mark R. Warner /s/ Cindy Axne

/s/ Tim Kaine /s/ Filemon Vela

/s/ Doug Jones /s/ Tulsi Gabbard

/s/ Chris Van Hollen /s/ Scott DesJarlais, M.D.

/s/ Sherrod Brown /s/ Ruben Gallego

/s/ Kirsten Gillibrand /s/ Andy Kim

/s/ Catherine Cortez Masto /s/ Elissa Slotkin

/s/ Shelley Moore Capito /s/ Chrissy Houlahan

/s/ Steve Daines /s/ Lori Trahan

/s/ Jeffrey A. Merkley /s/ Richard E. Neal

/s/ Bernard Sanders /s/ Eleanor Holmes Norton

/s/ John Hoeven /s/ Jim Cooper

/s/ Ted Cruz /s/ Michael Waltz

/s/ Tina Smith /s/ Jared Golden

/s/ Jacky Rosen /s/ Seth Moulton

/s/ Joe Manchin III /s/ Donald S. Beyer, Jr.

/s/ Roger F. Wicker /s/ Val Demings

/s/ Cindy Hyde-Smith /s/ Conor Lamb

/s/ Susan M. Collins /s/ Sheila Jackson Lee

/s/ Marco Rubio /s/ Joe Courtney

/s/ Diana DeGette /s/ Alcee L. Hastings

/s/ Joe Morell /s/ A. Donald McEachin

/s/ Jim Himes /s/ Grace F. Napolitano

/s/ Susan Wild /s/ Alma S. Adams, Ph.D.

/s/ Tim Ryan /s/ Joe Neguse

/s/ Marcy Kaptur /s/ Wm. Lacy Clay

/s/ Carolyn B. Maloney /s/ Bill Pascrell, Jr.

/s/ Tom O'Halleran /s/ Frank Pallone

/s/ Peter DeFazio /s/ Lizzie Fletcher

/s/ G. K. Butterfield /s/ Chris Pappas

/s/ Max Rose /s/ Darren Soto

/s/ Jim Banks /s/ Paul Tonko

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger /s/ Angie Craig

/s/ David Trone /s/ William Timmons

/s/ Joe Wilson /s/ Norma J. Torres

/s/ Peter T. King /s/ Kurt Schrader

/s/ Nanette Diaz Barragán /s/ Jamie Raskin

/s/ Jim Langevin /s/ Anthony Gonzalez

/s/ Ann McLane Kuster /s/ C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger

/s/ Joaquin Castro /s/ Anthony Brindisi

/s/ Steve Womack /s/ Vicente Gonzalez

/s/ Don Bacon /s/ Marcia L. Fudge

/s/ Jack Bergman /s/ Dean Phillips

/s/ Tom Cole /s/ Anna G. Eshoo

/s/ Vicky Hartzler

You might also like