Presented by: Colonel Ret Bill Goss Legislative Director

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Presented by Colonel (Ret) Bill
GossLegislative Director
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The Constitution of the United
States Militia Clause Article 1 Section
8 Congress Shall Have The Power. . .To Provide
For Organizing, Arming and Disciplining The
Militia, And For Governing Such Part Of Them As
May Be Employed In The Service Of The United
States, Reserving To The States Respectively The
Appointment Of the Officers, And The Authority Of
Training The Militia According To The Discipline
Prescribed By Congress
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What Is the NGAUS
Created in 1878 at the first constructive meeting
of officers from the North and South after
Reconstruction, with a goal of providing united
National Guard representation before Congress.
Our goal -- to maintain the freedom and
security of this nation by guaranteeing a strong
national defense through the provision of a vital
dynamic National Guard as a part of the Total
Force.
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The Role of NGAUS
Coordinate the 54 States Territories,
Associations, Industry teams and other
organizations in a lobbying effort on behalf of
the National Guard. Educate those who wish to
be a part of the National Guard Team
Facilitate a very successful lobbying
track-record with DoD Congress
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Resolutions Process

• NGAUS Call for resolutions are distributed to
  the states.
• State Associations meet. submit to NGAUS staff.
• NGAUS Consolidates
• Resolutions are reviewed by NGB, NGAUS Task
  Forces and NGAUS Executive Council.
• Resolutions Committee Organizes
• Resolutions adopted at NGAUS General Conference.
• NGAUS staff/task forces prepares Legislative
  Priorities, and Task Forces draft resolutions for
  the NGAUS Call.

January
June
August
September
December
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NGAUS Task Forces
Composition

• Chairman
• Representatives from the six NGAUS regions
• Advisors from the National Guard Bureau
• Industry members by invitation of Chairman

Objectives

• Help prepare draft resolutions for distribution
  to the states based on validated issues from
  previous year.
• Comment on resolutions received from states
  prior to
• NGAUS general conference
• Prioritize resolutions adopted at NGAUS
  conference

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Legislative Action

• Designed to coordinate legislative agenda
• Consists of three parts
• Legislative priorities
• Supporting fact sheets
• Communication with decision makers

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Legislative Priorities

• Developed from the grassroots
• Incorporates the essence of the NGAUS general
  conference resolutions
• Focused on manning, maintenance, modernization
  and MILCON in support of readiness
• Presented to influencers at all levels
  congress, governors, DOD, DA, DAF and industry

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Fact Sheets

• Developed with industry/states/NGB
• Provides the rest of the story
• How much?
• How many?
• Directed to specific influencers with an interest

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A Community Based Force
One in 600 Americans are members of the
National Guard
Army National Guard 77 350,000
Air National Guard 23 108,000
458,000 Citizen-Soldiers
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Community-Based Force
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Working with NGAUS
Defense Committees
Authorizing Legislation House Armed Services
Committee Senate Armed Services Committee

Appropriating Legislation House Appropriations
Committee Senate Appropriations Committee
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Working with NGAUS
Legislative Process
House
Sub- committee Mark-up
Committee Mark-up
Floor Vote
Floor Vote
Hearings
Conference Committee
President Signs
Senate
Sub- committee Mark-up
Committee Mark-up
Floor Vote
Floor Vote
Hearings
Feb.-April
May
June
July-August
Sept.
October 1
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Synchronizing the Effort
Communicating
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Bottom Line

• Competition
• For limited resources
• Articulate
• About the issues
• Knowledgeable
• About the process

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Thank You!