Washington, D.C. — U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and the Senate Appropriations Committee urging immediate action to fully reimburse the New Hampshire National Guard for their deployment to the United States Capitol after the January 6th attack. Kuster and Pappas helped secure funding to fully reimburse the NH National Guard in the House in May, but the Senate has yet to act on companion funding legislation.

“After the United States Capitol was attacked by insurrectionists seeking to subvert the peaceful, constitutional transfer of power, the National Guard answered Congress’ call to protect the Capitol,” Kuster and Pappas wrote. “Now, more than seven months after their deployments, state National Guard units have yet to be reimbursed for their efforts. This has left National Guard units with a funding shortfall that threatens readiness and national security. We implore you to address this problem by following the House’s lead and passing an emergency supplemental to fund the National Guard.”

“In May, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3237, Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, which provided $520.9 million to reimburse the Guard,” Kuster and Pappas continued. “The U.S. Senate should immediately take up legislation to reimburse the National Guard and ensure the Guard is made whole after its deployment. The National Guard answered Congress’ call when we needed them. Now, it is time for Congress to answer the Guard’s call and provide reimbursement for Operation Capitol Response.”

The full letter is available here below.

Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Chairman Leahy, and Ranking Member Shelby:

After the United States Capitol was attacked by insurrectionists seeking to subvert the peaceful, constitutional transfer of power, the National Guard answered Congress’ call to protect the Capitol. Now, more than seven months after their deployments, state National Guard units have yet to be reimbursed for their efforts. This has left National Guard units with a funding shortfall that threatens readiness and national security. We implore you to address this problem by following the House’s lead and passing an emergency supplemental to fund the National Guard.

The NH National Guard (NHNG) sent more than 50 personnel to protect the Capitol. They used their airlift capacity to fly other New England National Guard units to Washington, D.C. While their deployment is over, Congress has yet to repay the NHNG for the costs they incurred during Operation Capitol Response. If the NHNG is not immediately reimbursed, it will be forced to cancel both Drill assemblies and Annual Training periods in August and September. National Guard units must have the opportunity to train and prepare for the diverse set of missions they are called upon to carry out for their communities. These cancelations will undermine readiness by limiting the guard’s ability to prepare for future missions. Failing to provide funds for the Guard is an unacceptable disservice to the Guardmembers who put their lives on hold to protect our democracy.

In May, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3237, Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, which provided $520.9 million to reimburse the Guard. The U.S. Senate should immediately take up legislation to reimburse the National Guard and ensure the Guard is made whole after its deployment. The National Guard answered Congress’ call when we needed them. Now, it is time for Congress to answer the Guard’s call and provide reimbursement for Operation Capitol Response.

Thank you for your attention to this critical national security issue and we look forward to working together to ensure the National Guard has the financial resources they need.

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