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Presidential Memorandum

Memorandum To Extend Federal Support to Governors' Use of the National Guard To Respond to COVID-19 and To Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States

This memorandum extends federal support for National Guard COVID-19 response operations through September 30, 2021, with 100% federal reimbursement. It also expands FEMA Public Assistance Category B funding to 100% federal cost share for eligible entities including schools, childcare, healthcare, and transit through the same date, and directs FEMA to expedite reimbursements with advanced payments.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 7481

Impact dates

  1. 100% federal cost share for National Guard and Category B assistance expires

Key directives

  • Secretary of Defense shall request governors order National Guard to perform duty under 32 U.S.C. 502(f) for FEMA mission assignments
  • FEMA shall fund 100% of National Guard mission assignment costs under 32 U.S.C. 502(f)
  • FEMA shall make Category B Public Assistance available for schools, childcare, healthcare, shelters, transit, and other eligible applicants including PPE and disinfecting supplies
  • FEMA shall provide 100% federal cost share for Category B assistance through September 30, 2021
  • FEMA shall expedite reimbursements and provide advance payments on expected reimbursement
  • 100% federal cost share for National Guard extends through orders authorizing duty through September 30, 2021

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Secretary of Defense to request governors order National Guard duty under 32 U.S.C. 502(f)
  • FEMA to fund 100% of National Guard mission assignment costs
  • FEMA to make Category B assistance available for eligible facilities

Near term (90d)

  • FEMA to expedite reimbursements and provide advance payments for eligible projects

Long term

  • 100% federal cost share for National Guard and Category B assistance expires September 30, 2021

Risks & tensions

  • Supersedes prior Trump administration memoranda on National Guard COVID-19 response (unwinds_prior_admin: true)
  • Subject to availability of appropriations—funding not guaranteed if Congress does not appropriate
  • 'As appropriate and consistent with applicable law' language creates implementation discretion for FEMA
  • Temporary measure with cliff on September 30, 2021; may create uncertainty for states planning beyond that date
Presidential Memorandum: Memorandum To Extend Federal Support to Governors' Use of the National Guard To Respond to COVID-19 and To Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States · Executive Orders