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February 23, 2021 - 2:54 pm
Delegate Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, testifies in committee about the "Defend the Guard Act." (Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislative Photography)
Kanawha County commissioners unanimously came out today against the “Defend the Guard Act,” even before any legislative committee has considered it.
Kent Carper
“This bill is misleading – if passed, it will
defund, not defend, the West Virginia National Guard. As in past years, I urge our legislators to soundly reject this legislation,” Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper, a Democrat, stated today.
He was joined by his fellow commissioners, a Democrat and a Republican.
The bill in the state Legislature would require Congress to make an official declaration of war — or an action to call forth the state militia — before members of the West Virginia National Guard may be released from state control to participate in active duty combat.