releases: https://bustos.house.gov/under-pressure-from-bustos-trump-extends-national-guard-covid-19-response-efforts/
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://bustos.house.gov/under-pressure-from-bustos-trump-extends-national-guard-covid-19-response-efforts/ | Under Pressure from Bustos, Trump Extends National Guard COVID-19 Response Efforts | 2020-12-03 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | IL | Cheri Bustos | B001286 | bustos.house.gov | legacy | Bustos-led letter called on President Trump to fully restore federal funding as expiration loomed WASHINGTON Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) issued the following statement after President Trump announced that he will extend National Guard activations for COVID-19 response efforts through March 31, 2021. Current activations were set to expire at the end of the year. Without an extension, states would have been forced to grapple with a gap in federal funding for relief efforts, stand down members of the National Guard and potentially shutter desperately needed COVID-19 response services. The announcement, however, also extends a 25-percent cut to federal funding for deployment, following the Trump Administration's 100-percent coverage earlier this year. While today's decision to extend the service of our women and men in the National Guard is essential, it simply doesn't go far enough. As they face what may be one of the deadliest winters in American history, cash-strapped states are still forced to navigate federal funding cuts to the costs of National Guard deployments. On its way out the door, this Administration continues to financially burden struggling states. While the pandemic wreaks havoc on our nation, they callously turn a blind eye to the impact that rising COVID-19 cases has on our communities. Ultimately, their decision to extend cuts to federal funding for state deployments also takes a toll on our cities and towns, and it is American families who suffer. Thankfully, President-elect Biden has already pledged to fully fund the efforts of our neighbors in uniform a commonsense measure that should never have been in question. In the meantime, these unforeseen expenses will spread state resources thin at a dire time. That's why I introduced legislation earlier this year to require the Trump Administration to cover the full costs of National Guard COVID-19 response efforts. I'll continue to hold this Administration accountable in its final days and fight for the Soldiers and Airmen who have played a critical role in protecting the health of our nation. BACKGROUND In response to the COVID-19 crisis, members of the National Guard have been deployed across the country to assist with public health responses. Last week, Congresswoman Bustos sent a letter to President Trump calling on him to fully restore federal funding for the National Guard's COVID-19 response efforts, which were set to expire at the end of the year and as the nation prepares for what may be one of the deadliest winters in American history. Bustos also praised President-elect Joe Biden's pledge to provide federal support for these efforts. Earlier in the year, the Trump Administration covered 100 percent of the associated costs for deployment. In August, the Administration stripped states of millions of dollars of support when it announced it would no longer cover the full costs, forcing many states and territories to cover 25 percent of National Guard deployment, while making an unexplained exception exclusively for Florida, Texas, Arizona, Connecticut and California. Now, they are forcing every state to cover 25 percent of the costs. Representatives Cheri Bustos, Max Rose and Deb Haaland introduced legislation in August that would force the Trump Administration to cover the full cost of National Guard deployments for COVID-19 response efforts throughout the nation to ensure every state and territory is treated equally. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |