releases: http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/colorado-house-delegation-requests-dod-continue-national-guard-assistance-event
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/colorado-house-delegation-requests-dod-continue-national-guard-assistance-event | Colorado House Delegation Requests DOD to Continue National Guard Assistance In Event of Government Shutdown | 2013-09-27 | 2013 | 2013-09 | Republican | House | CO | Scott Tipton | T000470 | tipton.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – A united Colorado House Congressional delegation today urged Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to designate National Guard units as "exempt personnel" allowing them to continue assisting with flood relief efforts in the event of a government shutdown on Oct. 1. In a letter to Hagel, the delegation noted the devastation of the flood damage and the importance of the work National Guardsmen already are undertaking. The delegation also highlighted urgency in mobilizing other units to help ensure all state and local highways are safely repaired and opened prior to Dec. 1. The letter states, "We believe it is important to make every effort to ensure the Gaurdsmen assisting in our recovery do not face a budget gap. This can be avoided if our National Guardsmen are designated as 'exempt personnel.'...If winter in Colorado sets in without the critical infrastructure in place, we will be placing our constituents and communities at further risk." The House members' letter echoes a recent request by Senators Bennet and Udall to Sec. Hagel to exempt National Guard engineers from Utah from furlough in the event of a government shutdown. ### Dear Secretary Hagel: We write to express our sincere concern about any delay in using National Guardsmen to work on recovery efforts following the tragic flooding in Colorado. We are requesting your immediate assistance to designate National Guard units as "exempt personnel" allowing them to continue helping Colorado recovery efforts. As you know, Colorado suffered an enormous amount of damage with the recent flooding. Seventeen counties were impacted, while nine counties still remain under a major national disaster declaration. More urgently, the devastating floods have the potential of leaving thousands of people dangerously isolated as winter weather approaches. Our Colorado Guardsmen are working tirelessly and we sincerely appreciate their efforts, but it remains equally important to mobilize other neighboring corps to open all state and local highways before December 1st. Some communities in Colorado are almost completely isolated by flood damage. Food, water, utility repair, emergency medical supplies, and communications equipment cannot be delivered without major repairs to our roads and bridges. The National Guard will provide critical engineering expertise to complete the urgent repairs quickly and safely. National Guard units from neighboring states stand ready to assist Colorado as we rebuild, but we need your help. Earlier Vice President Biden pledged support and funding, no matter the result of the current budget disagreement, but we believe it is important to make every effort to ensure the Guardsmen assisting in our recovery do not face a budget gap. This can be avoided if our National Guardsmen are designated as “exempt personnel.” While rescue efforts qualify for this exemption, recovery work does not. If winter in Colorado sets in without the critical infrastructure in place, we will be placing our constituents and communities at further risk. We must have these engineers on station as quickly as possible so they can do their jobs by assisting and rebuilding our communities. We hope you will take immediate action. Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |