Letter to President Donald J. Trump - Daines Urges President Trump to Provide Support for Montana National Guard Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic

Letter

Mr. President:
I write to you concerning the current COVID-19 pandemic and the National Guard's mission to support
the national emergency declaration. I would like to commend you efforts to combat this pandemic and
write to ask for your consideration for Montana's Title 32 National Guard operations to be fully covered
by the federal government as Montana continues to see an increase of coronavirus cases.
As you are aware, COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic that has the ability to spread rapidly with a
concerning mortality rate. Day by day, increasing numbers of our National Guard are asked to support
both Montana's and our national effort to address this crisis. As of today, Montana has 4,602 confirmed
cases, 65 deaths, 87 active hospitalizations, and 2,964 individuals have recovered, with 185,815 tests have
been conducted. Many of our guardsmen and women have been asked to assist these efforts from the
distribution of essential supplies to checking the temperatures of visitors to the Treasure State.
Following the recent decision to reduce the federal cost-share of ongoing National Guard operations,
states will soon be required to cover 25 percent of the costs associated with countering the virus. During
this time of uncertainty, it is important that the men and women of the National Guard have access to the
resources they need to combat COVID-19. With that in mind, I strongly urge you to support the Montana
National Guard and extend Title 32 authorization to maintain full reimbursement for its ongoing efforts to
fight this pandemic.
Thank you for your consideration of this request and I look forward to working with you and your
administration to ensure our guardsmen and women in Montana and across the country have the resources
they need during this emergency.
Sincerely,
STEVE DAINES
United States Senator

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