Colorado Congressional Delegation Continues to Press Trump to Extend and Expand Funding to Support Colorado National Guard COVID-19 Response Efforts

Lawmakers Push Administration to Authorize Funding for Colorado National Guard to Support Future Vaccination Efforts

Washington, D.C. – Today, the entire Colorado Congressional Delegation sent a third letter to President Donald Trump asking for extended and expanded federal funding for the Colorado National Guard (CONG) to support their efforts in the fight against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Colorado Governor Jared Polis also sent his formal request to Trump on November 23, 2020 asking for an extension of federal authorization and funding through July 31, 2021. The funding was originally approved on April 7, 2020, and is set to expire at the end of this year. 

“COVID-19 cases across the nation are rising rapidly. Unfortunately, Colorado is not an exception. The state continues to balance economic recovery and preservation while prioritizing health and safety. In order to accomplish these interdependent missions, the assistance of the Colorado National Guard remains essential,” wrote Bennet and the members of the delegation. 

In light of the recent news of key vaccine developments, the lawmakers wrote: “...the Colorado National Guard will play a critical role in the distribution and management of vaccine administration sites as new vaccines become available. We support Governor’s Polis’s request that these vaccine-related activities also be eligible for Title 32 authorized activities.”

Today’s request follows Bennet and the delegation’s April letter and July letter to the president requesting extended federal funding for the Colorado National Guard. In August, the administration approved an extension of this funding which is now set to expire on December 31, 2020.

In addition to Bennet, the letter was signed by Colorado U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R) and Colorado U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (D), Joe Neguse (D), Scott Tipton (R), Ken Buck (R), Doug Lamborn (R), Jason Crow (D), and Ed Perlmutter (D). 

The text of the letter is available HERE and below. 

Dear Mr. President:  

We write to support Governor Jared Polis’s request for an extension and expansion of 502(f)(2)(A) of Title 32, U.S. Code, funding for the Colorado National Guard in support of the fight against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) through July 31, 2021. Previously, the Administration approved an extension of this funding on August 3, 2020, which is now set to expire on December 31, 2020. With rising numbers, a further extension of this authorization is critical to ensuring Colorado continues to mitigate and contain the spread of the disease.  

COVID-19 cases across the nation are rising rapidly. Unfortunately, Colorado is not an exception. The state continues to balance economic recovery and preservation while prioritizing health and safety. In order to accomplish these interdependent missions, the assistance of the Colorado National Guard remains essential. We support Governor Polis’s request for an extension, and expansion to include vaccine related activities, of 502(f)(2)(A) of Title 32, U.S. Code for another six months until July 31, 2021.

The ongoing support the Colorado National Guard members provide to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment through staffing COVID-19 mobile and mass testing sites of vulnerable populations is vital. In addition, the Guard assists in multiple functions such as aiding in logistics, distribution, and warehouse management for personal protective equipment to essential works. Without their assistance, Colorado would also lack the staffing necessary to support on-site testing for affected communities, Emergency Operations Center augmentation, command control functions within the State of Colorado, and critical infrastructure protection. Finally, the Colorado National Guard will play a critical role in the distribution and management of vaccine administration sites as new vaccines become available. We support Governor’s Polis’s request that these vaccine-related activities also be eligible for Title 32 authorized activities. 

This requested extension and expansion of authorized mission assignments is essential to Colorado’s ongoing management and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We request that you extend and expand the 502(f)(2)(A) funding authorization for another six months until July 31, 2021, in order to allow the Colorado National Guard to continue supporting these mission critical tasks.                                               

Thank you for your urgent consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,