Guard the Skies Act
Sponsored By: Representative McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Introduced
Summary
Authorizes state-requested National Guard action to counter unmanned aircraft threats. This bill would let governors ask the Department of Defense to deploy Guard members to protect certain facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft and would align Department of Homeland Security and Defense roles for those responses.
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- Gives governors a clear route to request DoD-backed National Guard protection at designated facilities by creating a new Section 130j in Title 10.
- Allows Guard members ordered under Title 10 or Title 32 who are assigned specific duties to take the actions described in section 210G, subject to the statutory conditions in section 130j.
- Inserts the Department of Defense into Homeland Security Act coordination rules, requires DoD consultation before guidance that could affect 130j actions, and clarifies the National Special Security Event definition as used in the statute.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
States can request Guard counter-drone help
If enacted, the bill would let the Defense Department authorize the National Guard to counter unmanned aircraft at certain facilities. This would apply when a State chief executive requests the mission described in federal law. Guard members would have to be ordered to duty under title 10 or title 32 and assigned the required duties. The bill would add the Defense Department to Homeland Security coordination. DoD would have to be consulted before issuing guidance that affects these actions. It would also add this activity as a basis to order some reservists to active duty. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Crane
AZ • R
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
OH • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]
WA • R
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
NY • R
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
UT • R
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov