American Military News by Kevin Landrigan - The New Hampshire Union Leader April 12, 2024
New Hampshire risks losing nearly $400 million in federal grants if the Legislature passes a state law that would try and block National Guard troops here from being deployed to serve in combat during undeclared wars, according to Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities.
“We are adamantly opposed to this bill because it truly defunds the guard and will not accomplish anything,” said Gen. Mikolaities, who had three deployments of his own.
A co-sponsor of the bill said it would send an important message.
“The Pentagon is deploying our young men and women into combat zones with no objective, no clear target, no victory conditions, no end in sight,” said state Rep. Tom Mannion, R-Pelham, who is a Marine Corps veteran and had two combat deployments during the war in Iraq.
The House of Representatives narrowly passed the bill (HB 229) last January, 187-182.
The vote did not follow neatly along partisan lines; 22 House Democrats voted for it, while 27 House Republicans voted against it.
Supporters emphasize that serving in undeclared wars violates the U.S. Constitution.
Critics maintain that a separate federal law compels National Guard troops to answer the call, which would prevent the state from enforcing the proposed law.
Both Mikolaities and Deputy Adj. Gen. Warren Perry expressed concern the law could lead to a reduction in federal support for New Hampshire’s 3,000 guardsmen and women.
Congressional action adopted in 2001 allows the president to take action necessary to protect national security and does not require a war declaration prior to any armed conflict, Mikolaities said.
Perry said governors lack any authority to withhold consent for the deployment of troops into combat.
More:
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2024/04/national-guard-brass-urge-senate-kill-war-declaration-bill/
