Extension of the Use of the National Guard To Respond to COVID-19 and To Facilitate Economic Recovery

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 2, 2020)] [Presidential Documents] [Pages 54883-54884] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2020-19599] Presidential Documents Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 171 / Wednesday, September 2, 2020 / Presidential Documents [[Page 54883]] Memorandum of August 29, 2020 Extension of the Use of the National Guard To Respond to COVID-19 and To Facilitate Economic Recovery Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense [and] the Secretary of Homeland Security By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121- 5207 (the ``Stafford Act''), and section 502 of title 32, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy. It continues to be the policy of the United States to foster close cooperation and mutual assistance between the Federal Government and the States and territories in the battle against the threat posed by the spread of COVID-19, especially as the United States transitions to a period of increased economic activity and recovery in those areas of the Nation where the threat posed by COVID-19 has been sufficiently mitigated. To date, activated National Guard forces around the country have provided critical support to Governors as they have worked to address the needs of those populations within their respective States and territories who are especially vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, including those in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care or congregate settings. Additionally, States and territories may need assistance in fighting COVID-19 hot spots as they emerge. Therefore, to continue to support States and territories as they make decisions about the responses required to address local conditions in their respective jurisdictions with respect to combatting the threat posed by COVID-19 and, where appropriate, facilitating their economic recovery, I am taking the actions set forth in sections 2 and 3 of this memorandum: Sec. 2. Additional Twenty-Five Percent Federal Cost Share. To maximize assistance to the Governor of the State of Louisiana, where the National Guard has also been fully deployed and is engaged in the effort to help the State recover from the devastation of Hurricane Laura, and to facilitate Federal support with respect to the use of National Guard units under State control, I am directing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security to fund an additional 25 percent of the emergency assistance activities associated with preventing, mitigating, and responding to the threat to public health and safety posed by the virus that Louisiana undertakes using its National Guard forces, as authorized by sections 403 (42 U.S.C. 5170b) and 503 (42 U.S.C. 5193) of the Stafford Act. This, in addition to the 75 percent Federal cost share established in my prior memorandum dated August 3, 2020, titled ``Extension of the Use of the National Guard to Respond to COVID-19 and to Facilitate Economic Recovery,'' shall provide the State of Louisiana with a 100 percent Federal cost share. Sec. 3. Additional Twenty-Five Percent Federal Cost Share Termination. The additional 25 percent Federal cost share for the State's use of National Guard forces for the State of Louisiana shall extend to, and shall be available for orders of any length authorizing duty through September 30, 2020. Such orders include duty necessary to comply with health protection protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the [[Page 54884]] Department of Health and Human Services or other health protection measures agreed to by the Department of Defense and FEMA. Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The Secretary of Defense is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register. (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, August 29, 2020 [FR Doc. 2020-19599 Filed 9-1-20; 11:15 am] Billing code 5001-06-P