SUN Act

The SUN Act would create an oversight framework for the domestic use of reserve-component forces (such as the National Guard and other reserve units) when they are deployed or used inside the United States. If the President deploys or uses reserve forces on U.S. soil, the bill requires the President to report to Congress within 15 days with detailed justification, anticipated effects, and cost information, including input from local and state law enforcement about how the deployment is proceeding. It also requires a certification that the deployment will not hinder the federal government’s ability to respond to disasters under the Stafford Act. In addition, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau must brief Congress on whether the deployment reduced violence and met the stated goals. An exception applies for deployments made under the Stafford Act in response to natural disasters or weather events, which would not be subject to these reporting requirements. In short, the act is designed to increase transparency and congressional oversight of how reserve forces are used domestically, tying deployments to explicit goals, costs, and civil-military interactions, while preserving necessary disaster-response authorities.