Providing Continued Federal Support for Governors' Use of the National Guard To Respond to COVID-19 and To Facilitate Economic Recovery

This memorandum extends 100% federal cost-sharing for Alabama, Alaska, and Delaware's National Guard COVID-19 response operations through May 31, 2020. It directs FEMA to fully fund these states' National Guard emergency assistance activities and directs the Secretary of Defense to request governors order National Guard forces to fulfill FEMA mission assignments. The memorandum also extends similar cost-sharing from six prior memoranda issued between March 22 and April 13, 2020.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 23203

Impact dates

May 31, 2020
100% federal cost share and mission assignment availability ends

Key directives

FEMA to fund 100% of emergency assistance activities for National Guard forces in Alabama, Alaska, and Delaware
Secretary of Defense to request governors order National Guard forces to perform duty for FEMA mission assignments on fully reimbursable basis
Extend 100% federal cost share through May 31, 2020
Secretary of Defense to publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

100% federal cost share takes effect for specified states
FEMA directed to fund National Guard activities
Secretary of Defense directed to request governor orders for National Guard duty

Near term (90d)

Cost share and mission assignments available through May 31, 2020
National Guard operations for COVID-19 response and economic recovery facilitation

Long term

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Risks & tensions

Limited to only three states (Alabama, Alaska, Delaware) while other states may have similar needs
Condition 'to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with mission requirements' creates implementation discretion
Subject to availability of appropriations creates funding uncertainty
Fully reimbursable basis for DoD missions may create administrative burden