[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 152 (Thursday, August 6, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 47887-47888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17371]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 152 / Thursday, August 6, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 47887]]


                Memorandum of August 3, 2020

                
Extension of the Use of the National Guard To 
                Respond to COVID-19 and To Facilitate Economic Recovery

                Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense [and] the 
                Secretary of Homeland Security

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
                Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-
                5207 (the ``Stafford Act''), and section 502 of title 
                32, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as 
                follows:

                Section 1. Policy. It continues to be the policy of the 
                United States to foster close cooperation and mutual 
                assistance between the Federal Government and the 
                States and territories in the battle against the threat 
                posed by the spread of COVID-19, especially as the 
                United States transitions to a period of increased 
                economic activity and recovery in those areas of the 
                Nation where the threat posed by COVID-19 has been 
                sufficiently mitigated. To date, activated National 
                Guard forces around the country have provided critical 
                support to Governors as the Governors work to address 
                the needs of those populations within their respective 
                States and territories especially vulnerable to the 
                effects of COVID-19, including those in nursing homes, 
                assisted living facilities, and other long-term care or 
                congregate settings. Additionally, States and 
                territories will need assistance in fighting COVID-19 
                hot spots as they emerge. Therefore, to continue to 
                provide maximum support to States and territories as 
                they make decisions about the responses required to 
                address local conditions in their respective 
                jurisdictions with respect to combatting the threat 
                posed by COVID-19 and, where appropriate, facilitating 
                their economic recovery, I am taking the actions set 
                forth in section 2 of this memorandum:

                Sec. 2. Termination and Extension. The 100 percent 
                Federal cost share for the State's use of National 
                Guard forces for the State of Texas shall extend to, 
                and shall be available for orders of any length 
                authorizing duty through December 31, 2020. Such orders 
                include duty necessary to comply with health protection 
                protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease 
                Control and Prevention of the Department of Health and 
                Human Services or other health protection measures 
                agreed to by the Department of Defense and the Federal 
                Emergency Management Agency of the Department of 
                Homeland Security.

                Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this 
                memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise 
                affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or 
the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

                    (b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent 
                with applicable law and subject to the availability of 
                appropriations.
                    (c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does 
                not, create any right or benefit, substantive or 
                procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any 
                party against the United States, its departments, 
                agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or 
                agents, or any other person.

[[Page 47888]]

                    (d) The Secretary of Defense is authorized and 
                directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal 
                Register.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    Washington, August 3, 2020

[FR Doc. 2020-17371
Filed 8-5-20; 11:15 am]
Billing code 5001-06-P