Bill > HB2193

This bill restricts the deployment of the Virginia National Guard to active duty combat, defining "active duty combat" as participation in an armed conflict, performing hazardous service in a foreign state related to an armed conflict, or performing a duty through an instrumentality of war. The bill stipulates that the Virginia National Guard can only be deployed into active duty combat under two specific circumstances: first, when Congress has made an official declaration of war (as defined in the Constitution), or second, when Congress has taken an official action under the Constitution to execute laws, repel invasion, or suppress an insurrection. The Governor is required to comply with these restrictions and take necessary actions to ensure the National Guard is not inappropriately deployed. However, the bill explicitly clarifies that these limitations do not prevent the Governor from deploying the Virginia National Guard for defense support and civil authority missions within the United States or in foreign states. The bill amends existing sections of the Virginia Code to incorporate these new deployment restrictions, ensuring that the National Guard cannot be unilaterally sent into combat situations without proper congressional authorization.

Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2193