Virginia lawmakers are proposing a plan that would allow them to review any federal deployment of the state鈥檚 National Guard members.
The measure, called the comes in response to President Donald Trump鈥檚 deployment of National Guard members to cities across the country to address crime.
The bill would prohibit the Commonwealth’s National Guard from being used to interfere in an election and ensure there鈥檚 a legal review of any deployment. It also requires information about how deployments are funded, Del. Dan Helmer said.
The goal, Helmer said, is 鈥渨e make sure that Virginians are never used against their fellow Americans.”
“As we watched what was going on in South America, the need to really think about making sure that the deployments of Virginia National Guardsmen are legal became even more important, and this weekend proved that further,鈥� he added in an interview with WTOP.
Helmer, an Army veteran, said the measure also establishes a reporting mechanism, so leaders know where troops are deployed and the reason why.
Virginia is part of an anti-narcotics coalition that allows the deployment of its National Guard members, 鈥渨hich made something like this even more important. And we know that our National Guard have been deployed in places like Iraq and the Middle East because of the actions of the previous administrations,鈥� Helmer said.
As for whether the measure will receive bipartisan support, Helmer said lawmakers have worked with retired admirals, generals and Department of Defense officials 鈥渢o make sure that we craft a bill that is tailored in a way that protects Virginia National Guardsmen.鈥�
After November鈥檚 election, Democrats control both chambers of Virginia鈥檚 General Assembly.
Helmer said lawmakers have 鈥渨orked very closely鈥� with Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger鈥檚 team 鈥渙n a whole broad range of issues, and we are focused on making sure that we provide the opportunity for the General Assembly to review the legality of deployments.鈥�
Helmer said he鈥檚 鈥渄evastated at the disregard for American interests globally and the rule of law at home that have made such an Act necessary.鈥�
This year鈥檚 General Assembly session is scheduled to start next week.
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