Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas and other governors in the U.S. are speaking out against a proposal that would move Air National Guard units involved in space missions to the U.S. Space Force.
An initiative known as Legislative Proposal 480 (LP 480) was presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee by the U.S. Department of Defense to strengthen the Space Force.
Created in December 2019, the Space Force, which operates under the Department of the Air Force, defends American interests in and from space using satellite and sensor systems on Earth and in orbit. Space Force However, the plan to increase the personnel of the youngest branch of the military requires Congress
existing law to allow the transfer of guardsmen without needing consent from the governors of the affected states, according to Breaking Defense. override As a result, Gov. Abbott wrote a
to President Joe Biden expressing his disagreement with LP 480, stating that it poses an unacceptable threat to National Guards. letter “The proposal would give the Secretary of the Air Force the power to move Air National Guard units to the Space Force without first getting approval from the governors,” he said.
He mentioned that even though Texas may not be directly impacted by the new proposal, he opposes it in principle.
“Although the Texas Air National Guard does not have these types of missions, I strongly object to any attempt to exclude governors from decisions regarding their National Guards,” he said.
Referring to 32 U.S.C. § 104; 10 U.S.C. § 18238, he pointed out, “By deviating from this sensible arrangement and allowing the Secretaries to dismantle National Guard units without proper consideration, Legislative Proposal 480 would establish a dangerous precedent.”
Section 18238 of Title 10 mandates that no unit of the Air National Guard can be removed or withdrawn without prior consultation and approval from the governor. Similarly, section 104 of Title 32 stipulates that any change in the branch, organization, or allocation of National Guard units within a state must be approved by its governor.
Abbott emphasized the importance of following this established protocol to ensure the readiness and effectiveness of National Guards in responding to various emergencies.
“The Texas National Guard plays a vital role in protecting over 30 million Texans. In recent years, members of the Texas National Guard have bravely responded to hurricanes, wildfires, and various other disasters, including the one at the Texas–Mexico border. Most recently, the Texas National Guard helped with the largest wildfire in Texas history using aircraft to drop water and an MQ-9 Reaper to assess the situation on the ground,” he wrote.
Abbott’s letter echoed
of a coalition of 53 governors from 48 states and five territories to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging the withdrawal of LP 480 because it “disregards gubernatorial authorities regarding the National Guard and undermines over 100 years of precedent as well as national security and military readiness.” that “Governors should keep full control as Commanders in Chief of these resources to effectively safeguard operational readiness and the communities of America,” the letter from April 29 declared.
However, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall stated that the state governors are overreacting, since the number of National Guard members impacted would only be about 500.
“We’re not discussing a life-threatening threat. Nobody is proposing taking apart the Guard. This is a unique, small exception to our usual practice, and it’s required to make the Space Force as effective as it needs to be. I’m sorry this has turned into such a politicized matter. It should be very simple,” Kendall stated, according to Breaking Defense.
, according to Breaking Defense. saidU.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, the Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, has expressed support for the proposal.
“I believe that what the Air Force is proposing will be successful,” he stated, per Breaking Defense.
Nevertheless, Abbott advised the U.S. Department of the Air Force to withdraw LP 480 and instead work with the affected state governors to develop strategies for strengthening the Space Force in accordance with federal laws and the authority of state leaders.
“Instead of trying to seize power in Congress, the U.S. Department of the Air Force should collaborate with the affected governors to develop the Space Force in a manner that aligns with federal law,” the Texas governor concluded in his letter to the president.
In the upper chamber of Congress, a bipartisan group of senators has proposed an alternative to LP 480, co-sponsoring a bill that would establish a separate Space National Guard.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and various other governors across the country are voicing their opposition to a legislative proposal that would relocate Air National Guard units involved in space missions to the U.S. Space Force. Legislative Proposal 480 (LP 480) was submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee by the U.S. Department of Defense as […]
