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Rhode Island lawmaker reintroduces 'Defend the Guard' bill to bar overseas combat call-ups without a congressional declaration
Summary
Representative Place reintroduced House Bill 5,378, which would prevent Rhode Island National Guard members from being federally activated for foreign combat roles unless Congress issues a formal declaration of war. The state's adjutant general and other witnesses opposed the bill, citing federal law, readiness and funding risks.
Representative Daniel Place reintroduced House Bill 5,378 on behalf of the sponsor, proposing that Rhode Island ‘‘will not allow its National Guard to be called up for federal service in combat roles without an express declaration of war by the Congress,’’ he told the House Committee on State Government and Elections. The committee opened the session by voting to hold all seven bills on the calendar for further study in a procedural motion passed by voice vote.
The bill, described by Place as a ‘‘defend the guard’’ measure, would bar state authorization for Guard members to be mobilized for foreign combat unless Congress issues a formal declaration of war. Place told the committee he is motivated by what…
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