Sen. Nathan Dahm files Defend the Guard Act

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed the Defend the Guard Act Monday to ensure men and women serving in the Oklahoma National Guard are only deployed as directed by the United States Constitution.

Senate Bill 135 would prohibit any member of the Oklahoma National Guard from being released into active duty combat unless Congress has declared war or issued a call for a specific purpose related to executing the laws of the union, repelling an invasion or suppressing an insurrection.  

“December 13^th is celebrated as the National Guard’s birthday, so the best way we can celebrate those bravely serving our country is to bring them home and make sure they are only deployed in a constitutional manner in the future,” Dahm said. “Just as we all want to be home for the holidays, we should desire the same thing for our members of the Oklahoma National Guard.”

Dahm said this bill is strongly supported by Oklahoma National Guard members and their families.

“As commander in chief, President Trump has called for bringing our troops home from foreign wars and shores,” Dahm said. “I hope this year the Oklahoma legislature will follow this directive from our commander in chief and work to bring our troops home and return to a constitutional framework on wars.”