Providing Federal Support for Governors' Use of the National Guard To Respond to COVID-19

This memorandum directs FEMA to cover 100% of National Guard costs for Connecticut, Illinois, and Michigan to respond to COVID-19, and directs the Secretary of Defense to request governors order National Guard forces to perform duty for FEMA-issued missions supporting state and local emergency assistance. The 100% federal cost share terminates 30 days from the signing date.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 18411

Impact dates

Apr 29, 2020
100% federal cost share terminates

Key directives

FEMA to fund 100% of emergency assistance activities using National Guard forces in CT, IL, MI under Stafford Act sections 403 and 503
Secretary of Defense to request governors of CT, IL, MA, and MI order National Guard forces to perform duty for FEMA-issued mission assignments on fully reimbursable basis
Secretary of Defense to publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

100% federal cost share takes effect for National Guard operations in CT, IL, MI
Secretary of Defense directed to request governors order National Guard duty

Near term (90d)

100% cost share terminates April 29, 2020
National Guard support missions for COVID-19 response continue on reimbursable basis

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Limited to four states; may create equity concerns among states not receiving 100% cost share
30-day termination creates uncertainty about sustained federal support
Massachusetts included in Section 3 (National Guard duty requests) but not Section 2 (100% cost share), creating asymmetric treatment
Fully reimbursable basis in Section 3 may create state fiscal burdens after 30-day period