Governors from across the United States are pushing back against a Pentagon proposal they say would undermine gubernatorial authority over the National Guard by allowing the Air Force to transfer some space-focused National Guard units into the Space Force.
The U.S. Department of Defense submitted a legislative proposal to the Senate Armed Services Committee in March, asking lawmakers to allow units to be transferred to the newest branch of the military without approval from governors, who serve as commanders-in-chief over National Guard members in their states.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, chairman of the National Governors Association, held a joint press conference with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Monday to discuss the proposal and ask Pentagon leaders to back off from their proposal.
“Governors value our long history of close coordination with the Defense Department on national security matters, including on decisions surrounding the deployment of National Guard units under our authority,” Cox said. “Governors welcome the opportunity to consult with the Defense Department and Congress, and we urge the Air Force to work with governors to find a better way forward.”