U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) announced that the Guarding Readiness Resources Act, a bipartisan measure he introduced earlier this year, was unanimously adopted as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation requires that National Guard units receive appropriate federal reimbursements to maintain their readiness for emergencies.
Senator Lee stated, “Our National Guard responds to emergencies, protects our states, and keeps countless American families safe from harm. While they deserve the best when answering the call, they have not been well served due to copious amounts of bureaucratic red tape and unnecessary hurdles. For the last few years, I’ve been working to solve this problem. Tonight, my bill passed unanimously.”
The bill had support from 20 cosponsors in the Senate. Among them were Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Justice (R-WV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
Senator Duckworth commented on the act’s importance: “The men and women of the National Guard are committed to the motto of ‘always ready, always there’—which is why it’s important our Guardsmen have the resources they need to stay mission-ready. Our bipartisan Guarding Readiness Resources Act would better ensure the Guard has access to the funds needed for the maintenance and readiness activities that help them keep our country safe.”
Congressman Harrigan added, “The National Guard is America’s first responder, but outdated bureaucracy is draining resources, leaving critical equipment broken and unfunded after State Active Duty missions. The Guarding Readiness Resources Act fixes this by cutting red tape at the Department of the Treasury—ensuring the National Guard Bureau immediately gets the funds it needs to repair, replace, and maintain equipment. This keeps our Guardsmen mission-ready, whether responding to natural disasters or supporting local law enforcement. I’m proud to lead this effort in the House alongside Senator Lee in the Senate to strengthen the Guard and protect American communities.”
CMSgt. Josh J. Baker of EANGUS said: “Our National Guard members serve side by side with their active-duty counterparts, answering the call at home and abroad,” adding that despite this service they face inequities in pay and benefits. He said further: “This legislation is a significant step toward correcting these imbalances and ensuring our Guardsmen are properly equipped, trained, and supported—whether they are responding to domestic emergencies or deploying overseas. EANGUS stands ready to work alongside Senator Lee and other congressional leaders to advance this bill. Our members, the backbone of the National Guard, deserve nothing less than full recognition and fair treatment for their dedication to our nation.”
Retired Maj Gen. Francis M. McGinn of NGAUS noted: “The National Guard continuously responds to the dynamic domestic challenges this nation faces. Immediate response often requires significant unforeseen state expenditures. While the law allows for federal reimbursement, it is executed in such a way that states never see those much-needed funds. This creates substantial budget gaps that threaten the readiness of the force. The Guarding Readiness Resources Act corrects this oversight and ensures the National Guard has the necessary resources to effectively fulfill their mission. We are grateful for the work of Senators Lee and Duckworth and ask for full congressional support for inclusion in the FY26 NDAA.”
The act introduces a Miscellaneous Receipts exemption under section 710 of title 32 so that reimbursement funds can be directed back into National Guard units through U.S. Property and Fiscal Officers (USPFOs). This aims to ensure timely funding for maintenance or replacement costs related to federal equipment used by these units.
