SUN Act
The Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard Act (SUN Act) would add a formal congressional oversight requirement for most domestic deployments or uses of National Guard troops under federal authority. Within 15 days of any United States-based deployment (under Title 10 or other authorities), the President would have to submit a detailed report to Congress. The report must explain the legal basis and goals, describe the impact of the deployment (including interactions with civilians), provide local and state law enforcement assessments, estimate total federal costs (including indirect DoD costs), and certify that the deployment will not hinder disaster response efforts under the Stafford Act. An exception applies to deployments in response to natural disasters or weather-related events under the Stafford Act, for which the reporting requirement would not apply. The bill seeks to increase transparency and accountability for how the National Guard is used domestically.
Key Points
- 115-day reporting requirement: The President must submit to Congress a report within 15 days of domestic National Guard deployment or use under federal authority.
- 2Detailed contents of the report: Legal basis and goals; any supporting evidence; description of the deployment’s impact on the identified situation; local/state law enforcement reports on interactions and violence; and an assessment of the propriety of the deployment.
- 3Cost transparency: The report must include an estimate of the total federal cost of the deployment, including indirect Department of Defense (DoD) costs.
- 4Disaster-response safeguard: The report must certify that the deployment will not interfere with the Armed Forces’ ability to respond to disasters under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
- 5Exception for Stafford Act disasters: The reporting requirement does not apply to deployments in response to natural disasters or weather-related events under the Stafford Act.