SR 12 (LSB 2277XS (3) 86)

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 12

BY  CHELGREN, BEHN, GUTH, SINCLAIR, ZAUN, SCHULTZ, SHIPLEY, and KRAAYENBRINK

A Resolution urging Congress and the President of the United States to enact new legislation on the federalization of national guard forces.

   WHEREAS, state militias, now known as the national guard, have been a bulwark of this nation’s military defense system since 1776; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa National Guard is the direct descendant of the state militias that served our country through the Civil War, with the Iowa Militia being designated in 1877 as the Iowa National Guard; and
   WHEREAS, in times of peace the members of the Iowa National Guard have long provided relief and assistance during floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and civil disturbances; and
   WHEREAS, in times of war, from Pea Ridge to Iraq and Afghanistan, the soldiers of Iowa’s National Guard, all volunteers, have stepped forward in defense of our state and nation; and
   WHEREAS, now in the 21st century America relies on the citizen-soldiers of the guard like never before, from providing cybersecurity to piloting Predator and Reaper unmanned drones, while still providing the traditional role as “boots on the ground”; and
   WHEREAS, over the past 10 years, national guard units have completed multiple deployments and upgraded both skills and equipment; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Iowa Senate respectfully urges the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to require prior congressional approval of a request made by the President of the United States for the federalization of national guard forces for a period of more than 180 days; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to members of the Iowa congressional delegation.