Davis Introduces Legislation to Return National Guard Authorities to Governors
Bill Would Restore Old Rules for Invoking Insurrection Act

February 07, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), ranking member on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, introduced legislation that would repeal a new law that makes it easier to federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement purposes during emergencies, even over governors' objections.

Davis is the lead Republican co-sponsor, and Rep. Timothy Walz, D-Minn., is the lead Democratic sponsor of the bill, which also was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo. The legislation would address concerns that have arisen among the nation's governors and the National Guard community since the legislation was approved late last year over what lawmakers say is a dangerous re-centering of power in the federal branch.