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Division over 'Defend the Guard' bill as adjutant general warns of funding and readiness risks
Summary
Representative Lee Deming’s HB 404 would limit National Guard deployments overseas without a formal congressional declaration; the bill drew vigorous opposition from the Montana National Guard leadership and veterans' organizations citing potential loss of federal equipment, positions and funding, while veterans and advocates argued it restores congressional war‑powers accountability and protects service members.
Representative Lee Deming opened the HB 404 hearing saying the bill seeks to ensure compliance with the U.S. Constitution when the National Guard is sent into combat overseas, and urged the committee to prioritize the constitutional duty to require congressional declarations of war before such deployments.
Major General J. Peter Ronick, the Adjutant General for the Montana National Guard, testified in strong opposition, calling the bill likely to have "catastrophic impacts" on members and national security. Ronick said the measure could threaten federal funding and remove equipment and positions from the Montana Guard, noting the Guard's dual state‑and‑federal role and the…
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