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 strongly opposed to this act because it really defunds the watch and will not achieve anything”, said , Gen. Mikolaities, who had three installations of his own.
The bill’s co-sponsor said it would deliver a powerful message.
” The Pentagon is deploying our young men and women into conflict zones with no purpose, no apparent destination, no triumph 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 , just passed the bill ( HB 229 ) last January, 187- 182.
The vote did not follow carefully along political ranges, 22 , House Democrats , voted for it, while 27 , House Republicans , voted against it.
Followers emphasize that serving in hidden war violates the , U. S.  , Constitution.
Reviewers maintain that a separate national laws compels , National Guard , soldiers to answer the call, which may reduce the state from enforcing the proposed legislation.
Both the Mikolaities and the assistant adj. Gen.  , Warren Perry , expressed worry the rules could lead to a reduction in federal aid for , New Hampshire ‘s , 3, 000 soldiers and people.
According to Mikolaities, the leader has the right to take the necessary steps to safeguard national security and does not need a declaration of war before any armed conflict.
Perry claimed that rulers have no authority to refuse to give orders for soldiers to be deployed into battle.
The Pentagon determines the level of , National Guard , aid that goes to each position, and a law in place such as this could damage the government’s case for more governmental help, Perry said.
After adding an act, the bill passed the House.
The” Defend the Guard Act” cleared the House after an amendment was adopted that may help the government to assent to any troop implementation, force the , National Guard , to be deployed for “humanitarian and political help” in connection with military activities and take part in training workouts outside the , U. S.
For more than two decades, the state ‘s , National Guard , has had a training relationship with , El Salvador.
On both sides of the measure, former and present veterans turned out.
“( Prior to declaration ) You must answer three questions: why you go to war, who you are going to war with and what you expect to achieve”, said state Rep.  , Michael Granger, R- Milton, who served in the , New Hampshire Army National Guard.
Kevin Grady, a 25- year , Air Force , veteran from , Hooksett, spoke on behalf of the , State Veterans Advisory Committee, which opposed the bill.
” Whether or not this bill is passed, our guard will be deployed.” When they get activated, they do n’t belong to us anymore if they ever did”, Grady said.
Over the past ten years, legislation like this has been introduced at least four different times.
” Our members were very disheartened to see this bill move to you guys”, Grady told the , Senate Finance Committee.
Rep.  , Mike Edgar, D- Hampton, was deployed to , Iraq , and said his son served three tours in , Afghanistan.
” I do n’t support this. I hope we will come to our senses”, Edgar said.
Rep.  , Emily Phillips, R- Fremont, said the small firm she operates was nearly lost during the COVID- 19 pandemic when one of her employees was deployed for six months.
” This crippled my business, follow the , Constitution”, Phillips said.
Sen.  , Daryl Abbas, R- Salem, expressed doubt that , New Hampshire ‘s , National Guard , would suffer if the bill passed and he supported it.
Abbas said,” I do n’t think our federal delegation would sit still for that kind of a cut.”
The bill could help in a small way because the state is suffering from a serious workforce shortage, he said.
Their lack of domestic productivity is what drives this policy of sending troops to unnecessary and undeclared wars, according to Abbas.
These workers would continue to work here in the state under this bill.
___
( c ) 2024 The New Hampshire Union Leader
Distributed by , Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
